Outrageous stat proves how Darvin Ham has effectively used Russell Westbrook to his full potential
Follow Us
Russell Westbrook
Russell Westbrook and the Los Angeles Lakers seem to have gained momentum in the season. The Lakers defeated the San Antonio Spurs by 92-123. Despite everything that the Lakers have endured and gone through this season one of the biggest finds by coach Darvin Ham and all the credit that could be given to him is finding a way to settle and maximize the use of former league MVP Russell Westbrook. Even when he was struggling to score from the three-point line or mid-range jump shots. If Westbrook’s season as a starter could be summed up in any way, it would be ‘non-existent’.
In the last four games, Russell Westbrook has recorded at least 10 assists for the Lakers. Out of these four games, the Lakers have won three of them. Russell Westbrook not only knows how to use his talent but also maximizes the use of his teammates on the floor. Russell’s 10+ assists seem so natural as if it is normal. But this is the first time since Muggsy Bogues in 1990 that a player coming off the bench has dropped 10+ assists in 4 or more consecutive games. When ESPN’s Malika Andrews asked Darvin Ham about Westbrook’s new look and increasing production, Ham said, “We just freed him up to go be Russ… When Russ is out there, we want him to be exactly who he is.”
As the season is progressing Russell‘s stat line shows that he is slowly and steadily finding his own groove and grip on the basketball and just getting started. Not only Westbrook has been dropping double-digit dimes but also has been scoring efficiently. His three-point percentage has increased from just over 8% to over 33 percent this season, which is above Russell’s career 3-point average.
Darvin Ham has unleashed Russell Westbrook and it is only going to get scarier
As the starter, Russell Westbrook was averaging just 10.3 points 6.7 rebounds 4.3 assists, and two steals per game, which for a player of Westbrook’s standard is extremely low. Even worse was his shooting percentage 28.9% from the field and 8.3% from the three-point line. Since Westbrook has started coming off the bench, been averaging 15.4 points and 7.7 assists per game. Russell has also increased his shooting to 40.6% from the field and 33.3% from the three-point line. Westbrook knows what he can do on the floor, when a reporter asked him about his assists in the game coming off the bench, Russell said, “It honestly don’t matter what unit it is. I know my abilities to make guys better around me.“
Russell Westbrook is a generational talent, a future Hall of Fame player, and a truly selfless leader who is ready to take up roles assigned to him and sacrifice his ego for the team’s success. If Westbrook has found his comfort and joy in getting the young bench core going when the starting lineup is not on the floor, then this is bad news for other teams. If Russell Westbrook finds his old self, there is no way the Lakers are not going into the playoffs. A better Westbrook means better production from the roster because there is perhaps just one person in the league who can engage his teammates like Brodie, and the best part, the other is his teammate LeBron James.
Do follow us on Google News | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
Stay Updated!
Nandjee Ranjan
(488 Articles Published)