“I would have loved being in that same role” Utah Jazz owner Dwyane Wade lauds Russell Westbrook for successful transition into sixth-man role
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Russell Westbrook and Dwyane Wade
After a horrible season with the Los Angles Lakers last year, Russell Westbrook has been coming off the bench this season and seems to be getting into his own groove. Westbrook not only accepted his role as a 6th man but has also given the Lakers a much better production. As the season progresses, Westbrook might find himself another trophy, the Sixth Man of the Year award.
In a conversation with Sports Illustrated, Dwayne Wade said that even before making a conversation about Russell Westbrook being in a new role, it was important to acknowledge that the transition from being a guy who is responsible for 50+ points of the game to coming off the bench is an exponential transition. Westbrook, from being a guy making all the decisions on the offense to leading the second unit against the opposition’s bench has had to adjust a lot.
Transitioning from being a primary decision-maker to being the substitute in a team is not an easy thing for a player. Not many stars have been able to handle the transition and hence their careers have shortened. Carmelo Anthony who still remains a free agent, fought for years to accept the role. Allen Iverson could not do it and had a shorter career.
Wade also alluded to the fact that with age, the athleticism of players declines. Players themselves often fail to see it but everyone except the player can see it. He also said that Westbrook has recognized that it’s not his talent that is in question, but the situation around him has changed. “I’m glad that he’s got to this point where he sees that it’s not him, that it’s situational and that depending which one he’s in, he knows what role he needs to play,” said Wade.
Dwyane Wade thinks Russell Westbrook would grow to enjoy his new role with the Lakers
According to the former Miami Heat legend, the new role for Russell with the Lakers would give him more freedom and let him be himself. He doesn’t have to think about feeding the ball and making plays for LeBron James, and Anthony Davis, or shooting the ball himself. “The best situation for Russ was to come off the bench and be able to have the freedom that he has to just be Russ. To not have to overthink all the time…He doesn’t have to think as much,” said the 13 x All-Star.
The former Finals MVP said that he would have also prolonged his career by coming off the bench and would have definitely loved being in that role, just having fun. “If I wanted to keep playing another two, three years, I would’ve loved being in that same role,” says Wade. He further added: “I would’ve had an amazing last three years of just having fun in that role. Coming off the bench playing 20 to 25 minutes a game … [Russ] made a great decision to prolong his career.”
Dwyane Wade retired after 16 years in the league and won 3 championships with the Miami Heat. He was a part of the Big 3 in Miami with LeBron James and Chris Bosh. Wade played his last two seasons as a substitute.
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Nandjee Ranjan
(488 Articles Published)