The Los Angeles Lakers were the biggest disappointments in the NBA during the 2021-22 NBA season. They are looking to put that behind them and get back to the ranks of being contenders this upcoming season.
That is easier said than done, as they have a first-time head coach in Darvin Ham taking over the sidelines. The roster also has some holes on it that will need to eventually be addressed, but Rob Pelinka did as well as he could with what he had available to him in free agency.
Alas, the biggest thing that needs to be fixed is the chemistry between their Big 3. LeBron James and Anthony Davis have shown what they are capable of achieving as a duo, helping lead the team to a championship in the Orlando Bubble in 2020.
Last offseason, Russell Westbrook was added to the mix but things didn’t go well.
LATEST NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Russell Westbrook, LeBron James, Anthony Davis & Los Angeles Lakers Updates
Westbrook failed to find his niche alongside his All-Star teammates as his skill set did not mesh well. The lack of reps together certainly didn’t help as the trio played only 21 games together the entire season.
Despite that, Westbrook received the most blame for how things went last season. Surprisingly, they are bringing him back for another season, but as long as he is on the roster, they will have to figure out a way to make things work.
It sounds as if Westbrook is coming into the season with an open mindset, ready to do whatever it takes to help the team win. Part of that change of heart could stem from conversations that he has had with people during the offseason, which he revealed some of during Media Day.
During his exit interview and early in the offseason, Westbrook was placing the blame elsewhere for the struggles of last season. When Westbrook and James didn’t sit near each other at the Las Vegas Summer League, rumors were quickly stirred up.
LATEST NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Russell Westbrook, LeBron James, Anthony Davis & Los Angeles Lakers Updates
Those rumors ended up being nothing more than that, as Westbrook remains on the roster with training camp getting underway. The Big 3 getting on the same page is imperative to the team finding success and that should be their only focus right now.
