Russell Westbrick Discussion: Clipper Gonna Clip

I think Lakers fans and other "experts" seem to forget that Lebron James and Anthony Davis are on this team. What does that mean? It means Russell Westbrook, the same guy who averages 22-11-11 is the third option and can handle the ball. Oh, and he is a guy who loves to play 100 mph. Ya, that's nothing to admire and be excited for.

 

And finished 6th in the league in rebounds last year.

A 6’3” Guard was 6th in rebounds, and he’s a Laker. I’m fine with that.

 

My main concern is our coaching staff isn't good on the offensive end so I don't think it will be able to maximize Russ strengths and make this weird fit works ...

 

That’s why Penberthy’s getting the big bucks now. Xs and Os wizzard.

 

just like the undrafted FAs, they see an opportunity to play. if they've either a) already made big money or b) are choosing among similar salaries, we (and bkn) are going to get them.

 

i've read a lot of very good points -- on both sides of the debate regarding this transaction -- but this move had to happen because we needed someone who could run the show while Lebron is on the bench... say what you will about the poor shooting, choking, recklessness, etc., obviously plenty of valid critiques of the guy... ultimately, though, he was the only one available with a record demonstrating he could basically come close to doing Lebron's job while he spends a lot more time on the bench -- the schroder experiment failed, clearly -- and that is why his time here is essentially over.

 

westbrook's poor shooting is...basically the same as schroder's was last year. and he does a lot of other stuff. given that schroder was apparently going to cost us 100 million over 4 years, i'd rather pay westbrook 90 over two, particularly when the difference in rounding out the rest of the roster is only an issue for the owner's wallet (i.e., we face the same basic restrictions either way).

 

exactly... i had to cut off my post because the kids were hanging on me (literally), and you basically wrapped it up and provided the conclusion that i did not... this was essentially the only feasible solution moving forward, and there is a HUGE upside... for the first time in a long time, Westbrook is part of a winning organization with a vision and path to a championship... as long as we fill out this roster to a) work when he is on the floor without Lebron and b) work in closing time with the "big 3" (maybe 4 soon), it's going to be a fruitful campaign.

 

Me in 2015

 

Getting out in front of someone digging that up on you eh?

 

Westbrook is going to be a THIRD OPTION. LeBron and AD have already proven they're good enough to win a ring with just the two of them and a strong supporting cast. Who was even the third best player on the 2020 payoff team on any given night? Rondo? KCP? Maybe even Dwight once or twice against Denver? And now we have this Tasmanian Devil of pure basketball energy to give opposing teams fits when LeBron is resting? It's almost all upside. People p*****g and moaning about chemistry and fit are overthinking this.

 

I think I have slandered Westbrook worse than that but that’s the 1st post I have here on LB or searchable post at least

 

Trezz was never going to be a Laker again whether he opted out of his contract and became a FA and left or opted in and was traded. So I don't see him as a loss. Kuz is just Kuz. He'll probably have his best year since his rookie year playing for the Wizards and will probably torch us whenever he plays us again, but he would have never had a role with us beyond being a wing 3 and D guy so long as Lebron and AD are on this team. And he failed to be consistent in that role, so him being traded was a forgone conclusion.

KCP and the 22nd were really the only things that felt like losses IMO. If we can get a 3rd star for those two things, yea you do it.

 

trez was gone when we benched him in the playoffs without really giving him a chance; maybe before that when we started randomly sitting him so that we could commit to the drummond experiment. it's a victory he didn't opt out due to spite.

 

cave man roamed space.

 

Heck, if he would wear pink pants, he and Kuzma could mud wrestle!!!