Los Angeles Lakers: 3 Ways Russell Westbrook can improve
With a winless preseason and back-to-back losses to start the regular season, there was cause for concern for Lakers Nation.
DeAndre Jordan looked like a shell of his lob city self, Trevor Ariza picking up an injury, Talen Horton-Tucker being sidelined with a hand injury and much doubt being cast on who was going to get minutes and at what position.
The biggest concern coming into the season was of course how the purple and gold planned to best use former MVP and 9-time all-star point guard Russell Westbrook.
While Westbrook started slow, he is beginning to find his footing within the team and learning how to play as part of a team.
During his recent outing against the San Antonio Spurs, Westbrook was able to put together a game worthy of his illustrious accolades and for large stretches of the game put the Lakers on his back.
While LeBron James rested, Anthony Davis and Westbrook were able to carry the Lakers to victory in overtime.
The former MVP got the rim at will and punished the Spurs with his mid-range and inside game.
A performance such as this went a long way to calming any fears for Lakers fans and also sent a direct message across the NBA that he is far from done.
While Westbrook has boosted Laker’s fan’s spirits with his display against San Antonio, there are still a number of areas in which the purple and gold will need Russ to step up and get better if they are to reach their full potential as a squad.
Compared to years previous, Westbrook has shown a real willingness to alter his game in order to put the success of the team ahead of his own personal achievements.
General manager Rob Pelinka and head coach Frank Vogel since 2019 have instilled in the Lakers squad the Mamba mentality.
Mamba mentality, synonymous with the late great Kobe Bryant (R.I.P) is a mantra. It means a killer instinct first and foremost but it also means coming together as a team and working as one unit, one team, and one family.
After Kobe’s passing, from the depths of despair, the purple and gold rose to claim a championship in Kobe and Gianna Bryant’s memory.
Kobe and Westbrook were relatively close, honoring Kobe’s memory is something the seems to be at the forefront of Westbrook’s mind.
His willingness to work on his weaknesses could be the difference between a playoff team and a record-breaking 18th banner.