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One can argue that despite his struggles this season, Russell Westbrook still remains to be one of the top point guards in the NBA today. The Los Angeles Lakers star has been just that for the past several years. Nevertheless, in spite of his stature as an elite player, Russ has still seen himself bounce around from team to team year after year.
Westbrook recently opened up about his journey over the past few seasons which has involved no less than four teams in four years. According to Westbrook, this is one of the biggest reasons behind his early-season struggles with the Lakers:
“If you just kinda look back and you see the last three or four years, I’ve always been on new teams, so I’m just kind like figuring out the best way to better play,” Westbrook said after LA's deflating 105-90 loss against the Portland Trail Blazers on Saturday, via Kyle Goon of the Southern California News Group.
Russ spent the first 11 seasons of his career with the Oklahoma City Thunder. In 2019, Westbrook made the big move to the Houston Rockets to join ex-teammate James Harden. That partnership lasted only one season before Russ took his talents to the Washington Wizards. After just one year in the Capital playing alongside Bradley Beal, Russ was involved in a blockbuster deal last summer that led him to the Lakers.
Life hasn't exactly been smooth sailing for Westbrook in Hollywood. He has shown some flashes of brilliance here and there but for the most part, it is clear that he hasn't really found his groove in LA just yet. Nevertheless, Westbrook remains confident that he will be able to make the necessary adjustment with the Lakers sooner rather than later:
Article Continues Below“The good part about it is I’m so blessed and thankful that I can do so many different things on the floor, that I can do whatever, with anybody,” Westbrook added. “I can play with anybody. And I’m very comfortable with that.
“But also I take a lot of pride, and I take a lot of just energy and effort to make sure I can be the best I can be with the guys we have on this team and make the best of this situation.”
On Saturday against Damian Lillard and Co., Russ had arguably his worst game in a Lakers uniform. The former league MVP went a miserable 1-of-13 from the field for just eight points, to go along with nine rebounds, six assists, and six turnovers in 29 minutes of play. With LeBron James sidelined and Anthony Davis forced to exit early due to a stomach illness, Westbrook and the rest of the Lakers were manhandled by the Blazers en route to a truly disappointing blowout loss for LA.
LA will get a night off on Sunday before returning to action on Monday to face off against a surging Charlotte Hornets side in Staples Center. For his part, Westbrook will get to go head-to-head with one of the brightest young point guards in the league today in LaMelo Ball and there's no doubt that Russ will want to make a statement as he looks to get back on track for the Lakers.
