Russell Westbrook. Just the name sparks contentious debate among NBA fans.
Westbrook will be inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame as soon as he’s eligible to be. That much is not up for discussion. Otherwise, no question about Westbrook is off limits.
How much has he contributed to winning at the NBA level? Does he enhance the play of his teammates? Moreover, does he play to pad his own stats?
All of these questions were prevalent in his prime – by 2022, they’re hardly questions anymore. It’s obvious that Westbrook’s play is problematic.
LATEST NBA NEWS AND TRADE RUMORS: Lakers Coach Has More Power To Bench Russell Westbrook
Anyone around the Los Angeles Lakers would have to say the same if they were being honest. Their 2021-22 season was a disaster. There’s plenty of blame to go around, but Westbrook has shouldered the largest portion of it, and deservingly so.
Here’s a trade that finally brings his tenure with the team to an end.