“Last year he was the worst starting play in basketball,” Skip Bayless credits Darvin Ham for resurrecting Russell Westbrook’s legacy
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Russell Westbrook
After having a disastrous first year with the Los Angeles Lakers last season, Russell Westbrook seems to have found his way to fit in and contribute to the Lakers’ success. A lot of credit should go to coach Darvin Ham for convincing Russ to take up the role of 6th man, being a former MVP. This Laker star not only provides stability to the bench when he is on the floor but finds them for easy points.
In the recent development, there has been a difference in his role. Westbrook’s substitution has been coming early in the 1st quarter. He is becoming the primary ball handler when he is on the floor. Russell is becoming himself again. He dropped 11 and 15 dimes in two consecutive games against the Bucks and the Wizards respectively. Perhaps the biggest change in Westbrook’s game has been his approach on the offensive end of the glass. He has been shooting the ball well from midrange and beyond the arc.
Speaking of Russell Westbrook’s new look, Skip Bayless, the NBA analyst on Undisputed, had high praise for both Coach Ham and Westbrook. According to Bayless, Darvin Ham did an excellent job when he had to convince Russ to come off the bench. “Darvin Ham has done a miraculous job of rehabilitating Russell Westbrook as a basketball player. Last year he was the worst starting player in basketball, and it wasn’t close,” said Skip.
The former NBA MVP has always been an ‘Alpha’ on every team he has been on and has embraced his alpha role. However, Los Angeles never got to see that side of him, except this year. Watching Russ thrive in his new role, Skip added, “I get excited watching Russ sometimes and remind myself I am only excited because last year he was the worst starting player in basketball…..he was a disaster from start to finish.”
He is engaged with the crowd, he is driving to the basket, and he is dropping crazy dimes, a completely different look from last season.
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Russell Westbrook comes off the bench against Toronto Raptors
LeBron James and Anthony Davis, both were out against the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday. However, Darvin Ham still got Russell Westbrook to come off the bench to lead the second unit. Apart from James and Davis, Westbrook is the leader in line for the Lakers, hence many expected Russ to start the game. Speaking to the media about coming off the bench he said, “I’m just… Whenever my name is called, I’m ready to go.”
Despite the fact that Russell Westbrook isn’t looking like the same player that fans saw in OKC and Wizards, he has found his way to become productive and become crucial to the team. If anything, Westbrook does better than anybody in the league; he makes the easy for his teammates. If he continues to play at his high level, he might be in serious contention for the 6th Man of the Year award and help the Lakers improve their record.
Westbrook finished the game against the Raptors with 16 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 assists in 28 minutes. The Los Angeles Lakers lost the game 113-126, which was their 14th loss of the season. Russ and the Lakers will look to bounce back against the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday in Wells Fargo Center before heading to play Detroit Pistons for another road game.
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Nandjee Ranjan
(488 Articles Published)