One of the most debated topics heading into the NBA regular season has been what will the Los Angeles Lakers do with Russell Westbrook. They tried their hardest to trade him during the offseason and for now, he is going to be in their lineup at the beginning of the season. But, where in the lineup will he be deployed?
There have been discussions about Westbrook coming off of the bench. First-year head coach Darvin Ham has been given the authority to make any changes he feels necessary to the lineup, and bringing the former MVP off the bench is one of the things under consideration.
Westbrook hasn’t come off the bench since his rookie season, starting 1,004 consecutive games that he has played since. While it would be a huge change for someone of his stature, it is likely what is best for the team.
Last season, everyone’s doubts came to fruition when Westbrook struggled to mesh with LeBron James and Anthony Davis. He struggled to find a niche and make a positive impact as his skill set clashed with the ones of his All-Star teammates.
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Coming off the bench, the ball would be put in Westbrook’s hands more. He would be provided the chance to lead the second unit and play the same way that we have come accustomed to seeing him in the last 14 seasons.
Alas, it doesn’t sound like that will happen. Patrick Beverley, who was acquired this offseason by the Lakers from the Utah Jazz, threw water on the idea that Westbrook would be coming off the bench this season.
“He’s not going to come off the bench. We all know that.”
If that is true, the Lakers are setting themselves up for failure before even taking the court. If 82 regular season games in which the team struggled and went 33-49 isn’t enough evidence that things don’t work, what is?
They can use the injuries as a reason to try again, as it is a valid one. James, Davis, and Westbrook played only 21 games together. Chemistry and cohesion are important, but it was clear that something was off between them.
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Running it back again is putting the team behind the eight-ball, as their skill sets just don’t mesh. Allowing Westbrook to run the second unit with either another 3-and-D wing or traditional center joining the starting lineup alongside James, Davis, and Beverley would be a much better fit for the purple and gold.
