Plaschke Lakers need to trade Russell Westbrook now Enough is enough $Alchemy_Keywords HEAD TOPICS

Plaschke Lakers need to trade Russell Westbrook now Enough is enough

10/21/2022 6:20:00 PM

Plaschke Lakers need to trade Russell Westbrook now Enough is enough

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Los Angeles Times

Plaschke Lakers need to trade Russell Westbrook now Enough is enough The Lakers need to trade Russell Westbrook before his reckless play and divisive personality cost them whatever chance they have at a rewarding season. The Lakers need to trade Russell Westbrook now.Paul GeorgeGeorge sees what everybody sees, that after last season’s“I just want him to keep having that joy, keep having that excitement, that fun — that’s what makes him special, the fact that he can do that on a nightly basis,” said George. “I hate to see that it doesn’t look like it’s there for him. But, you know, hopefully in the end, it works out for him in his favor.” They trade him now, it works out in everybody’s favor. The Lakers can pick up the shooters they so desperately need. Westbrook can play in the new surrounding he desperately needs. The only loser will be the Lakers’ dwindling cache of draft capital, but it’s not worth surrendering this season for the future, especially since James still looks strong and Davis might finally be tougher and keeping Westbrook is the equivalent of waving a white flag. Read more:
Los Angeles Times » Russell Westbrook, Lakers coach Darvin Ham have 'understanding' after hamstring injury comments Lakers-Warriors takeaways: LeBron James explains why Lakers can't make three-pointers Lakers Unlikely To Make Major Trade Before Thanksgiving What they're saying: Warriors easily take down Lakers

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Read more >> Russell Westbrook, Lakers coach Darvin Ham have 'understanding' after hamstring injury commentsRussell Westbrook and coach Darvin Ham have come to 'an understanding.' Lakers-Warriors takeaways: LeBron James explains why Lakers can't make three-pointers“I mean, to be completely honest, we’re not a team that’s constructed of great shooting. And that’s just what the truth of the matter is,” LeBron James said. “... We’re not sitting here with a bunch of 40-plus [percent] career three-point shooting guys.” Lakers Unlikely To Make Major Trade Before ThanksgivingLakers Unlikely To Make Major Trade Before Thanksgiving - RealGM Wiretap Hard to see anyone wanting Westbrook after thanksgiving either What they're saying: Warriors easily take down LakersOpening night featured championship ring and banner raising ceremony for 2021-22 NBA Championship Only one game in, the Lakers are already off-scriptLeBron James points out the Lakers need shooting and questions how the team is constructed. What they're saying: Warriors winning ways take down LakersOpening night featured championship ring and banner raising ceremony for 2021-22 NBA Championship tweaked a hamstring in the final preseason game because — gasp — he had to come off the bench.By October 20, 2022 at 11:55 pm EDT Expand Los Angeles Lakers' Russell Westbrook sits on the bench before the team's NBA preseason basketball game against the Minnesota Timberwolves Wednesday, Oct.the Lakers , so similar to last season’s sorry three-point shooting version, established in one night that it is once again a horrendous three-point shooting team.Oct 19, 2022 11:17 PM The Los Angeles Lakers are widely considered a fringe playoff contender at this point based on their current roster construction, but they're expected to continue exploring a potential trade of Russell Westbrook along with their 2027 and 2029 first round picks. The situation is untenable off the court, a complete mess on the court, and who knows what kind of somersaults are occurring in everyone’s heads? The Lakers need to trade Russell Westbrook now. Don’t wait until they can get more value for him from a tanking team. (AP Photo/Jae C. Don’t wait for somebody who won’t demand two first-round draft picks. And that’s just what the truth of the matter is,” said James, who missed seven of 10 three-pointers. Don’t wait to further showcase his abilities, because Thursday night the entire NBA saw what a nightmare this has become, and the Lakers must cut their losses and rip off the bandage and let the wound naturally heal.” Just days after Westbrook hinted that coming off of the bench led to his hamstring injury, Ham insisted on Thursday night that he and the veteran guard are on the same page. How bad has it become? A guy on the other bench was openly feeling sorry for him. "And as more teams and more players become. Paul George , a Clipper and former Westbrook teammate with Oklahoma City, said it was obvious Westbrook was in the wrong place. "We moved on, we got an understanding," Ham said, . When you get those opportunities, you take them. “It’s hard when you’ve got the pressure they’re putting on him here,” said George. “Quite frankly … it’s not geared for him with the roster they have as well. And I'll just leave it at that.” George sees what everybody sees, that after last season’s horrific homecoming , Westbrook doesn’t seem to want to be here anymore. He said they must “continue to defend” and “continue to trust the shot. “I just want him to keep having that joy, keep having that excitement, that fun — that’s what makes him special, the fact that he can do that on a nightly basis,” said George. Yet Westbrook played just five minutes in that game, and strained his hamstring in the process.. “I hate to see that it doesn’t look like it’s there for him. But, you know, hopefully in the end, it works out for him in his favor. It was because he came off the bench. And if you put the work out on the floor when the cameras are not watching, then you trust it.” Clippers explain why Kawhi Leonard came off bench in win over Lakers The Clippers decided to start the season with Kawhi Leonard coming off the bench in an effort to keep him fresh for key stretches and end of games. They trade him now, it works out in everybody’s favor."Honestly, I didn't even know what to do pregame. The Lakers can pick up the shooters they so desperately need. I mean, I had four or five damn good looks from the three-point line. Expect the Lakers to get to that 20-game point where teams kind of reach an inflection point about how they want to proceed and then see what might really be available to improve this Lakers' team. Westbrook can play in the new surrounding he desperately needs." Ham, however, insisted that couldn’t be the case. The only loser will be the Lakers’ dwindling cache of draft capital, but it’s not worth surrendering this season for the future, especially since James still looks strong and Davis might finally be tougher and keeping Westbrook is the equivalent of waving a white flag. Give Westbrook credit for facing the media in front of his corner locker after Thursday night’s embarrassment, although he spoke for only 2 minutes and 20 seconds while he answered in his usual terse tones."The Lakers, myself, my staff, we would in no way, shape or form put a player or an employee in harm's way. That’s all you can do. How would you assess your game tonight? “Solid, played hard, all you can ask for,” he said. “Go on to the next one. We don't stand for that. ” That’s pretty much the extent of his comments, almost as if he had already adopted the advice James said he would give him after a night like this.” Well, James said, it’s simple. “Just flush it down the toilet,” James said. That's not who we are. “We’ve all had bad shooting nights. I’ve had bad shooting nights. While he's struggled at times since landing in Los Angeles, and , Ham said Westbrook still has plenty of value to bring to the Lakers. [Tom] Brady did it. Everybody in this league has had bad shooting nights. Who cares? I thought he played a great game. "He's been around a long time. Defensively he was in tune. He was locked in. So, I know what that's about and how that is," Ham said, via ESPN . He pushed the tempo. He just didn’t make any shots and that’s OK. And that's called being a professional. ” James has to be nice to Westbrook, he’s the one who convinced the Lakers to trade two championship pieces — Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Kyle Kuzma — to the Washington Wizards for him. Rob Pelinka , the Lakers’ general manager and vice president of basketball operations, is also responsible for this wretched bit of casting, as he listened to James and decided against trading for shooter Buddy Hield and acquired Westbrook instead." Your browser does not support HTML5 audio. How would this team look if Pelinka had just followed his initial instincts? × Interestingly, the one person who carries the least amount blame for the trade is Westbrook himself. Yet much of what has happened since is on him. He’s failed to integrate himself into a new system. He’s lashed out at fans. He’s been surly with the media. And then, in the postgame news conference after Tuesday’s season-opening loss at Golden State, he recklessly accused the team of causing his hamstring injury because they … benched him? “Absolutely,” he said, claiming that the preseason benching altered his pregame routine, which put his hamstring at risk. “Being honest, I was trying to figure out how to stay warm and loose,” he said. “For me, obviously the way I play the game, it’s fast-paced, quick, stop-and-go. And I just happened to, when I subbed in, felt something … definitely something I wasn’t used to … wasn’t warm enough.” Ham heard it, and he wasn’t hearing it. “Well first and foremost, let me be clear with this: The Lakers, myself, my staff, we would in no way, shape or form put a player or an employee in harm’s way … physically, mentally spiritually … we don’t stand for that … we’re not about that … that’s not who we are,” Ham said Thursday afternoon. “Second of all, Russ and I have discussed what was out there. Brief discussion. We moved on, we got an understanding. And again, as the coach of this team, we’re going to do what’s best for our team to be as successful as it can be. And I’ll just leave it at that.” Westbrook has been in the starting lineup both games this season, and now some are wondering if the Lakers aren’t bowing to his outrageous accusations. All of this places pressure on a new coach who appears to be an old-school basketball soul with solid credibility and a bright future. Keeping Westbrook is unfair to Ham. It’s unfair to the team. It’s unfair to the fans. It’s even unfair to Westbrook. Before the game, new Lakers guard Patrick Beverley took the microphone and delivered the annual home opening address while issuing a guarantee. “It’s going to be a helluva year this year,” he shouted. “We’re going to the playoffs!” Only if they trade Russell Westbrook. Now. .