- Former NBA player says LeBron James’ return diminishes effectiveness of Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura
- Charles Barkley explains why LeBron James’ story is the best in sports history
- Tristan Thompson hints that Kyrie Irving and LeBron James aren’t done playing with each other
- Toilet paper brand Charmin takes hilarious shot at Patrick Beverley ahead of Lakers-Bulls matchup
- Report: Lakers upgrade LeBron James’ status for Sunday’s matchup vs. Bulls
- Former NBA player says Austin Reaves is overhyped because he’s ‘white’ and the Lakers are ‘trash’
- Austin Reaves’ semi-worrisome comments about his future with Lakers
- Austin Reaves says he had to buy LeBron James Xbox controller as one of his rookie duties on Lakers
- Tristan Thompson says he surprised LeBron James during Lakers workout: ‘I haven’t seen this since Cleveland’
- Draymond Green says the Lakers are a ‘serious threat’ in the Western Conference
Video: Russell Westbrook delivers savage NSFW statement to those calling Lakers old
- Updated: August 18, 2021
New Los Angeles Lakers guard Russell Westbrook offered a blunt warning to critics who believe that the team is too old to capture an NBA title.
Westbrook, who turns 33 in November, responded to the fact that he would be considered one of the younger players on the team and delivered a profane response.
“We got a team full of nice experienced vets that’s going to kick these young motherf***ing asses.”
– Russell Westbrook on people calling the Lakers an old team 👀 pic.twitter.com/AJi2K1DGzG
— Hoopsview (@hoopsview) August 19, 2021
The Lakers will certainly offer a veteran presence during the 2021-22 season, though it’s an exaggerated viewpoint to suggest that the players’ ages might be a drawback.
While LeBron James will turn 37 in December, he’ll once again be joined by 28-year-old Anthony Davis. That duo helped lead the Lakers to their first NBA title to a decade in 2020, while injuries to both players clearly served as reasons why they didn’t repeat as champions.
Adding Westbrook to that tandem of James and Davis, while also bolstering the depth of the team with seasoned veterans, is something that many successful franchises have done in all sports.
Critics may end up being right or the Lakers’ window to maintain their current level of success may depend on how long that veteran squad can keep producing. However, with each additional shot taken at the Lakers, their collective motivation to prove detractors wrong only grows.