[OFFICIAL] Russell Westbrook as a Los Angeles Laker thread

I think LeBron's drop will be precipitous. But, for now, you can't count the Lakers out because LeBron has this gear and because Davis, believe it or not, is still a top 5 player. Just them two playing at their best level would give the Lakers 2 of the best 3 players against all of the top Western Conference teams.

Of course, the NBA is not two-on-two. But you put those two together with the Westbrook that we have seen lately, which is not as bad to even good, and solid play from Monk, Reaves, Johnson, and Carmelo and you have a team that could come out of the West.

The problem is that these types of explosive games cost LeBron and Davis is who he is so he might not last the 8 to 10 games you need from him to make it past the play-in and first-round. The strategy will have to be to allow LeBron and Westbrook and co to take care of the offense while Davis anchors the defense and rebounds. Not an easy sacrifice, but probably their best bet.

 

he is 37 averaging an efficient 30, 8, and 6

His fall will be precipitous based on what? He would have to suffer catastrophic injury to have a steep decline any time soon.

AD is in no way, shape, or form a top 5 player. He is not better than KD. He is not better than Bron. He is not better than Jokic. He is not better than Giannis. He is not better than Luka. He is not better than Embiid. He’s not better than Steph. That’s already 7 right there.

Westbrook is atrocious in the playoffs, and the Lakers role players are a joke. The Lakers coming out of the West would require a miracle never before seen.

if you’re relying on Westbrook to be a part of taking care of the offense, you’re already screwed

 

lebrons knee is more problematic than you’d like to accept

 

I think something is going to suddenly blow out on LeBron's body like it did Kobe's or the effect of his wear and tear will be noticeable on offense as it is on defense.

Davis's impact at his best is historically as great as those players you listed and his potential impact on this Laker team is greater. The question is how long can he provide that impact for.

You're probably right, overall. The scenario I laid out is unlikely, but I still won't rule it out.

 

Westbrook will mess them up in the playoffs IF they make the playoffs. He is going to have those 2-14 shooting and 7 TOs every other game--and one triple double game in a series to boost up his self confidence. And Vogel will have to decide whether to bench him and create locker room turmoil or not the bench him and create locker room turmoil, LOL.

 

You damaged his career. (More than just some mean words)

 

AD’s impact has not been historically on the level of the players I mentioned…if it was, he wouldn’t have been missing the playoffs time after time before playing with Lebron

AD has been overrated for a long time, and his play has declined the past 2 seasons

 

Wow, I've seen a lot nicer comments for opposing players.

 

it just can not be fun playing with Westbrook

Why does he keep shooting jumpers?

 

Don't disrespect his name now

 

There's literally no difference between his bricks and the bricks of a fan in the stands shooting a basketball for the first time in their life

 

I'll give him a pass since in those highlights, the game just started and he can treat some early possessions as shooting practice. But if you don't have it going by then, this ish can't go on late game.

 

I can’t give him a pass because at this point, we know those shots aren’t going in and are just wasted possessions…might as well be Capela pulling up from 3

it’s gotta be so annoying and frustrating playing with a guy who clearly can’t shoot continuously taking jump shots…bad jump shots at that

I can only imagine what guys on the team think when he hits side or top of the backboard on a bank shot or airballs midrange jumpers and threes…or when he clanks free throws

 

The announcers: "Westbrook... given space... and that's why."

 

it would interesting to see the records of the warriors and lakers this year if curry and westbrook were switched.

 

Last round of the fantasy season.

Playoffs start next week.

I was second heading into the round playing the guy coming third.

Third, fourth and fifth all with the same record.

Fourth wins and is guaranteed a spot in the playoffs.

Fifth wins, needing third to lose to make it.

Third and I have had beef over cheating accusations in the past so this was a huge game (he mysteriously didn't reach half of his game cap last season in the second last game of the year - to allow his friend to make the playoffs... after previously making a completely lopsided trade [which he lost, to help bolster another friend's team who was coming tied first)

I'm a player short after Curry inexplicably pulls out last minute today (330am tip off here in Aus) and fretting the entire day watching Embiid go gangbusters for him.

It comes down to all my players done, and up 20.5 fantasy points.

He has one player to play. Russel Westbrook. (for point of reference Westbrook averages 42.3 points in this fantasy system). Needless to say I refuse to watch the game and go away sulking knowing this guy beat me.

Imagine my surprise when my mate messages me saying how Westbrook only had 11.5 fantasy points through 3 quarters in a 30 point deficit.

Long story short. Westbrook is trash and I'm all for it.

 

lol. It would also be interesting to see the records if Jae’Sean Tate and Kevin Durant were switched.

 

Damn Raj is going to feel that one for a while.