.jpg?itok=e9kapEaB&ssl=1 "Is the best Russell Westbrook back? LeBron James and Darwin Hamm believe he can have a great year with the Lakers")
After a disappointing first season with Los Angeles Lakers, Russell Westbrook he is only focused on his future in the franchise. On the other hand, the 2017 MVP’s teammates and the organization’s staff seem optimistic about the future next to the point guard.
along it out of seasonWestbrook’s name was constantly brought up in trade talks, leading many to believe that his days in Los Angeles were numbered. When all the smoke cleared, the team headed to their training facility in El Segundo for the half a day A perfect opportunity to check the state of relations between Russ and the franchise.
after one out of season from rumors, it’s fair to wonder if Westbrook still feels loved in Los Angeles. According to him, nothing has changed.
“Whether they love me or not doesn’t really matter, honestly.,” the former MVP told reporters at half a day “My job is to be professional, show up to work like I’ve always done up until now, do my job to the best of my ability, and that’s it.”
Russell Westbrook if he feels the Lakers want him pic.twitter.com/tN1OoKYocO
— Mark Medina (@MarkG_Medina) September 26, 2022
Westbrook continued his presentation with a real-life example, saying that “We all have jobs that sometimes people at work don’t like us or don’t want us there… I have to do what I have to do and do the best I know how to support them take care of my family” .
Although this is only his second season in Los Angeles, this is the final year of Westbrook’s contract. A lesson where you will pocket 47 million before entering Free Agency next July when I’m 34 years old.
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In a recent interview with ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the point guard spoke at length about his struggles on the floor last season. There he expressed a similar sentiment about whether or not he is wanted in Los Angeles, to which he added that “There’s a lot of optimism about how we can be great, how (Anthony Davis), LeBron or myself, can be unstoppable.”
Last season the Lakers went 33-49, which left them out of the Play-Ins and Playoffs. What caused this failure? One reason was that the trio of Davis, James and Westbrook played alone 21 games in total.
LeBron, who recently signed an extension to commit to the Lakers through at least the 2023-24 season, sounded just as optimistic about a potential payback year for Westbrook.
“Hopefully he’ll be part of the road this season” he said King James for Ross. “It’s going to be a big year for him. We’re going to be there with him. That starts tomorrow, it’s all about work.”
“It’s going to be a great year for him. We’re going to be right there with him.”
-LeBron on Russell Westbrook’s adjustment with the Lakers pic.twitter.com/EZJ5Wp0jFz
— NBA TV (@NBATV) September 26, 2022
Of the fading star also spoke the general general, Rob Pelinkaand the new coach, Darwin Hamm, elements that have high expectations of what the base can provide. Both Pelinka and Hamm made sure to highlight the involvement Westbrook has shown, suggesting he still has a lot to contribute.
“[Westbrook’s] he was awesome.” – Darvin Ham and Rob Pelinka talk about the communication and trust the front office has developed with Russell Westbrook during the offseason. #LakersMediaDay pic.twitter.com/HtPz5DZXMy
— Spectrum SportsNet (@SpectrumSN) September 26, 2022
Westbrook is coming off a year in which he averaged 18.5 points, 7.4 rebounds and 7.1 assists per game, but his averages don’t exactly reflect his difficult adjustment with other teammates. This lack of chemistry paid off transfer rumors almost from the start and all eyes were on him.
The good news for Angeleno is that things can’t get much worse than last season. At the very least, there is hope that the team can improve slightly.
Westbrook is coming off a year in which he averaged 18.5 points, 7.4 rebounds and 7.1 assists per game, but his averages don’t exactly reflect his complex fit with other teammates. That lack of chemistry has led to trade rumors and the biggest questions facing the Lakers this season.
The good thing for LA is that things can’t get much worse than they were last season. At least there’s hope the team can figure things out.
With several changes ahead, we’ll see if the Lakers figure it out.
