When the Los Angeles Lakers acquired NBA Russell Westbrook from the Washington Wizards, people immediately began analyzing the move. There were a lot of negative takes about the trade, as many people don’t see it being one that works out for the purple and gold.
Westbrook is used to dominating the ball, something he won’t be able to do as much with the Lakers. LeBron James and Anthony Davis will have the ball in their hands a fair amount of time as well.
LATEST NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Anthony Davis Explains Russell Westbrook’s Impact On Lakers
It will be an adjustment for all three stylistically, but they all have a common goal of winning a championship that will help keep them on track.
Westbrook commented on the common goal of winning being the driving force in committing and accepting the changes and sacrifices that will need to be made.
“LeBron out of anybody else, he knows what it takes to win a championship,” Westbrook told ESPN. “My understanding of the commitment, understanding the sacrifices that we are both going to have to make, including myself and [Anthony Davis] as well for the betterment on the team, and finding ways to be able to win a championship. And that’s the ultimate goal. So anything along the way … we cannot get distracted, cannot get deterred from our ultimate goal.”
Westbrook is correct in his assessment. That championship at the end of the tunnel is as good of a motivating factor as anything. James has reached the promised land four times, his most recent in 2020 with Anthony Davis in the Orlando Bubble.
It is something Westbrook has come so close to achieving, as James’ Miami Heat defeated Westbrook and his Oklahoma City Thunder in the finals in 2012.
LATEST NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Anthony Davis Explains Russell Westbrook’s Impact On Lakers
After so many years of playing against him, Russell Westbrook is appreciative of the opportunity to play alongside LeBron James.
“When you get a chance to play against one of the greatest players of all time and consistently, it helps my game,” Westbrook said. “It helps my preparation, makes me focus more on the things I need to focus on to get to a point where I can sit down and say, ‘I’ve accomplished everything I can accomplish in this league and now I’m lucky enough to be able to play alongside him.’ So I’m looking forward to that, looking forward to the things we can accomplish here together this season.”
The Los Angeles Lakers certainly have high expectations coming into the season. They are a veteran-laden team with multiple players looking to win the first Larry O’Brien trophy of their illustrious careers.
