It s really tough to win when Anthony Davis isn t on the court LeBron was hurt a lot of the season - Jeanie Buss calls Russell Westbrook LA Lakers best player during 2021-22 season × Create Notifications New User posted their first comment this is comment text Link Approve Reject & ban Delete Log in Manage your profile Editing Story Queue Video Queue Editing Stats Writer Home SEO Redirection Admin Gaming Wiki Edits Taxonomy Home Edit Site Menu Mapping Dashboard Tag Pages Community Social Feed Queue Feed Center Notification Center Affiliate Home Manage Pages Bottom Tagline Dash Timeless Stories Logout Basketball NBA News News It s really tough to win when Anthony Davis isn t on the court LeBron was hurt a lot of the season - Jeanie Buss calls Russell Westbrook LA Lakers best player during 2021-22 season Los Angeles Lakers v Charlotte Hornets Like Like Excited Happy Anxious Angry Sad Comment Share Michael Macasero ANALYST Follow Modified 31 Aug 2022 No one in the LA Lakers’ lineup has received as much blame as Russell Westbrook for the team’s disappointing season. The former MVP had his worst season in over a decade and is reportedly on his way out of Hollywood before training camp starts. Jeanie Buss, however, didn’t see last season’s failure as Westbrook’s fault. On “The Athletic’s NBA Show,” the team governor explained what she thought was the nine-time All-Star’s impact last season: “He was our best player last year. He played pretty much every single game, showed up, worked hard. I would have loved to have seen what this team would have looked like if they stayed healthy." "It’s really tough to win when Anthony Davis isn’t on the court. LeBron was hurt a lot of the season, but Russ showed up every game and played hard every night. I really appreciate him for who he is and what he brings to the team.” Sam Amick@sam_amickJeanie Buss talks all things Lakers here, including the Russell Westbrook/Patrick Beverley dynamic that comes with so much (acrimonious) history, at @TheAthletic Story - theathletic.com/3549236/2022/0…Podcast - theathletic.com/podcast/8-the-…7317Jeanie Buss talks all things Lakers here, including the Russell Westbrook/Patrick Beverley dynamic that comes with so much (acrimonious) history, at @TheAthletic Story - theathletic.com/3549236/2022/0…Podcast - theathletic.com/podcast/8-the-… https://t.co/zTTbrUsgMs Russell Westbrook’s 78 games were the highest of anyone from the LA Lakers last season. LeBron James had 56, while Anthony Davis finished with only 40. AD hasn’t played more than 40 games in the previous two seasons. “Brodie’s” impact, the way Buss described it, wasn’t shared by the coaching staff, particularly Frank Vogel. Westbrook was benched occasionally because the former coach played guys he believed could help them win games. Sam Quinn@SamQuinnCBSLakers with Russell Westbrook ON in fourth quarters: 342 minutes, -34Lakers with Russell Westbrook OFF in fourth quarters: 198 minutes, +50Benching Russ wasn't only necessary, it frankly came at least a month too late.1669278Lakers with Russell Westbrook ON in fourth quarters: 342 minutes, -34Lakers with Russell Westbrook OFF in fourth quarters: 198 minutes, +50Benching Russ wasn't only necessary, it frankly came at least a month too late. That Vogel often preferred Stanley Johnson, Avery Bradley and Talen Horton-Tucker over Russell Westbrook was telling. Johnson and THT have already been traded, while Bradley remains unsigned. UNDISPUTED@undisputed.@ShannonSharpe on the Lakers benching Westbrook during crunch time:"Franky V said their best chance to win is with Russ on the bench. A former MVP, multiple All-Star and First Team All-NBA, one of the top 75 players of all-time, and he became unplayable. Let that sink in."23436.@ShannonSharpe on the Lakers benching Westbrook during crunch time:"Franky V said their best chance to win is with Russ on the bench. A former MVP, multiple All-Star and First Team All-NBA, one of the top 75 players of all-time, and he became unplayable. Let that sink in." https://t.co/g5yt9ZU2r2 “Russ,” who was asked to make an impact off the ball, refused to set screens. In a game against the Indiana Pacers where he was benched, he disregarded the defensive game plan, a huge reason they blew the game. It was on injuries not Russell Westbrook that caused the LA Lakers to miss the playoffs per Jeanie Buss Russell Westbrook, Anthony Davis and LeBron James have played only 21 games together. They were 11-10, which was disappointing for fans of the team. According to CBS Sports, they were outscored by 34 points in 393 minutes when they shared the floor. CBS Sports@CBSSportsLeBron James, Anthony Davis and Russell Westbrook only played 21 games together last season.Lakers went 11-10 (were outscored by 34 points in 393 minutes they played on court together)488LeBron James, Anthony Davis and Russell Westbrook only played 21 games together last season.Lakers went 11-10 (were outscored by 34 points in 393 minutes they played on court together) https://t.co/dOTirXbFEl Without having the ball in his hands, “Russ” often looked disengaged and lethargic. He would blow coverage, walk back on defense, refuse to box out and stand on the perimeter waiting for things to happen. His fit around “King James” was a problem the Lakers couldn’t solve last season. New coach Darvin Ham will reportedly run the offense through Anthony Davis, presumably LeBron James as the playmaker. That would put Russell Westbrook on the periphery of the offense. Sam Amico@AmicoHoopsIn Lieu Of Trade, Lakers' Darvin Ham Aims To Find Role For Russell Westbrook - Hoops Wire hoopswire.com/in-lieu-of-tra…31In Lieu Of Trade, Lakers' Darvin Ham Aims To Find Role For Russell Westbrook - Hoops Wire hoopswire.com/in-lieu-of-tra… Jeanie Buss, general manager Rob Pelinka and Ham have all been saying the right things about the former OKC Thunder superstar. But, it wouldn’t surprise many if “Russ” is gone before even training camp starts. × Rate this story! Thank You! LIVE POLL Q. 0 votes so far Edited by Chad Marriott Like Like Excited Happy Anxious Angry Sad Share Comments Show More Comments GIF Comment in moderation 0 0 Reply x Edit Delete Delete the comment? No thanks Delete GIF Cancel Update GIF Cancel Reply ❮ ❯ GIF Comment in moderation 0 0 Reply x Edit Delete Delete the comment? 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