Lakers vs. Warriors overreactions: Russell Westbrook bound to be a bust?

LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 19: LeBron James #6, Anthony Davis #3 and Russell Westbrook #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers react during the second half against Golden State Warriors at Staples Center on October 19, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. 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 Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 19: LeBron James #6, Anthony Davis #3 and Russell Westbrook #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers react during the second half against Golden State Warriors at Staples Center on October 19, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. 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 Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
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(Photo by FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers

The Los Angeles Lakers did not get out to the start that they were looking for in the 2021-22 season. The new-look Lakers hosted the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday night to help kick off the season and ultimately fell, 121-114.

The game was close throughout and it was a game in which the Lakers led for most of the way. However, the Warriors started catching fire in the late third quarter and fourth quarter to pull away enough to get a victory over their Western Conference foes.

LeBron James and Anthony Davis both looked fantastic in this game. The rest of the team… not so much. It was a struggle at times and the Lakers looked like a newly put-together team that is still trying to figure out its identity.

The opening night loss to the Golden State Warriors has created some Los Angeles Lakers overreactions.

Does the return of meaningful Los Angeles Lakers basketball tell us some things about the team? Absolultey. Can we make sweeping claims about the entire 2021-22 season just because of one game? Absolutely not.

There have been some interesting takes stemming from this game both by the fans and by NBA pundits as well. In this article, we break down some of those popular takes, declaring whether or not the take is justified or if it is an overreaction.

Without further ado, let’s get into the elephant in the room…