- D’Angelo Russell credits Minnesota for helping him figure out his life outside of basketball
- Jay Williams would take the Lakers over the Warriors to win the Western Conference
- LeBron James makes it clear he won’t pay to be verified before Elon Musk’s latest Twitter rule takes effect
- Isiah Thomas believes top 7 teams in West ‘fear’ LeBron James and Lakers
- Former NBA player on the Lakers win over the Bulls: ‘That is a team last night that can win a world championship’
- LaVar Ball explains why he believes Bronny James should never play college basketball
- LeBron James seemingly brings up Austin Reaves throwing shade at him back in Miami Heat days
- Kyle Kuzma cooks Patrick Beverley after he says Clippers would’ve won title over Lakers in 2020 if not for bubble
- Brian Windhorst says LeBron James, Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry ‘smell weakness’ in Western Conference
- Lakers release updates on LeBron James and D’Angelo Russell ahead of crucial matchup vs. Bulls
‘From what I’m hearing, [Russell Westbrook] practically wants to be gone’: Stephen A. Smith on Lakers point guard’s future
- Updated: October 26, 2022
The Los Angeles Lakers are struggling out of the gate to start the new NBA season, and once again, much attention has been focused on Russell Westbrook.
He has played poorly in his last two games, and fans have once again been at their wits’ end when it comes to his play.
Dating back to last season, many have wanted him traded, and now, according to ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith, Westbrook himself wants to leave the Lakers.
"From what I'm hearing, he practically wants to be gone."
Stephen A. Smith on Russell Westbrook's future with the Lakers#NBATwitter #LakeShow pic.twitter.com/kVcE8dnOiu
— 𝙏𝙖𝙡𝙠𝙞𝙣’ 𝙉𝘽𝘼 (@_Talkin_NBA) October 26, 2022
There was a faint hope before this season began that perhaps he would tweak his game just enough to at least not be a negative presence on the court. But reality has set in very quickly when it comes to just how bad a fit he is for L.A.
He missed all 11 of his field-goal attempts on Thursday versus the Los Angeles Clippers, and he went just 4-of-15 against the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday.
One possible explanation could be that he has lost his confidence. Westbrook has always been a player who has thrived off positive energy and vibes, and those have been absent for most of his tenure with the Lakers.
The team will take on the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday evening in Colorado, and Westbrook will not play due to a hamstring ailment. Austin Reaves will take his spot in the starting lineup.
BREAKING: Austin Reaves to replace Russell Westbrook in tonight’s starting lineup vs. the Nuggets, a trend that could continue into the future, per @ShamsCharania
— Lakers Daily (@LakersDailyCom) October 26, 2022
If there were ever a time the Lakers were in a must-win situation this early in a season, it is now. There is no doubt fans will feel better about the team’s chances of notching a victory with Westbrook out.
Still, it is myopic to blame him for all the team’s woes. L.A. has been as cold as a winter day in Siberia from 3-point range, and it has a lack of two-way wings, particularly wings with length and size.
It remains to be seen if Westbrook will only be out temporarily, or if this could be the beginning of a bigger development.