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4 Ways Russell Westbrook could help the Los Angeles Lakers

By Jonathan Kiernan

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 06: Russell Westbrook #0 of the Houston Rockets drives the ball against LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the fourth quarter in Game Two of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2020 NBA Playoffs at AdventHealth Arena at the ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on September 06, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 06: Russell Westbrook #0 of the Houston Rockets drives the ball against LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the fourth quarter in Game Two of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2020 NBA Playoffs at AdventHealth Arena at the ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on September 06, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images) /
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Driving to the rim

The Los Angeles Lakers were excellent at a great number of things last season that led them to become the eventual NBA champions in a season that fans of the purple and gold will never forget.

The Lakers’ defense was historically good.

In LeBron James and Anthony Davis the Lakers had the 1st two players since Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal to average over 25PPG during the regular season.

They had LeBron James who came 2nd in MVP voting. They had Anthony Davis who finished 2nd in DPOY voting (Arguably should have won). And they had LeBron James lead the league in assists.

Some fantastic accomplishments mixed in there.

One thing the Lakers were terrible at and actually were the worst team in the league at was driving to the rim.

The Lakers were a league’s worst 36.6 drives to the rim per game over the course of the 2019-20 season. With a season of so many highs, that stat is an unquestionable low.

When finishing the season, you can bet that the front office, the coaching staff, and the players would be looking back at tape from the season and finding ways to improve.

Driving to the rim is definitely an area where the Los Angeles Lakers need to improve significantly.

It just so happens that Russell Westbrook leads the entire NBA in driving to the rim with over 20.8 drives to the rim per game.

Westbrook by himself on the Rockets had 57% of the Lakers drive to the rim. BY HIMSELF.

Adding Westbrook to the mix could turn the Lakers from one of the worst teams in the entire league when it comes to driving to the rim to one of the best.

Driving to the rim is a remarkably important trait that the Los Angeles Lakers underutilized last season.

Having players capable of attacking the rim and having the defense collapse in on itself is essential to getting open looks around the 3-point line.

LeBron James finished 22nd in the league in drives to the rim. James’ ability to collapse defenses and make the right pass out of the post led to countless easy baskets for open teammates.

Adding Westbrook adds another player who can do the exact same thing at an elite rate.

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