A Lakers fan’s handbook to the understanding of Russell Westbrook

The website Lake Show Life has dealt with some polarizing Los Angeles Lakers players in the last couple of seasons. Kyle Kuzma, Anthony Davis, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Danny Green all stood under the heat lamp at times in the comment sections. Even Dennis Schroder dominated debates for the one season that he was in Los Angeles.

But Russell Westbrook told the rest of those cats…Hold my beer!

Russell Westbrook officially got the KCP treatment after the Los Angeles Lakers lost to the Brooklyn Nets on Christmas Day. It was their fifth game in a row to fall to a then-record of 16-18. Even though Russell Westbrook had a triple-double of 13 points, 12 rebounds and 11 assists, he was bad, real bad. He left the arena and left LeBron James and David Fizdale to play clean-up on aisle zero citing his effort and decision making.

When Russ talked a couple of days later, Stevie Wonder could see the cracks in the foundation of his confidence.

This quote was made after shooting 4-20 and missing LeBron James (who jumped in the zone he’s still in!) wide open in the right corner to drive to the basket only to get it blocked…by the rim.

But it was this statement that he made after turning the ball over nine times (seven in the first half!) against the Minnesota Timberwolves without their best two players. Before you read what he said via CBS Sports, understand he only hit seven shots in that same game.

"“My game is not predicated on shots or if I turn the ball over. Like, I miss some shots, that’s part of the game. I’m allowed to miss shots. I can do that. Like any other player, I can do that. I can turn the ball over, too. I can do that. That’s all a part of the game…When you watch a basketball game and figure out what impact making the right plays, boxing out, rebounding, whatever that may be, making the right play, making the right reads, that’s all about being a basketball player.”"

Well, the media personalities are circling.

ESPN’s Zach Lowe on his podcast:

"“I think it’s just time to call a spade a spade,” Lowe said. “Russ is not a superstar, whatever your definition of a superstar is. And when I hear that word, what I hear is ‘could make an All-NBA team this year’ kind of player. Russ just isn’t that player anymore.”"

Our personal favorite quote is from Fox Sports’ Shannon Sharpe: (Video here at the 13:13 mark)

"“Russ is like that pretty girl at a rival school that makes you say if she was my girl, I’ll treat her like a queen and then when you get her, you realize why all the dudes left her. That’s how Russ is everywhere, everybody. ‘Man, look how hard he plays. He rebounds, he assists, yadda, yadda, yadda. And then when you get him, you realize why all the other dudes left said beautiful girl. Now you realize why all the other said teams said ‘nah, we good without you.’ “"

But here’s the seriousness of the Russell Westbrook failed experiment to this point…

To be fair here, Westbrook has had slow starts in his previous two seasons and has rebounded well. But believe it or not, the Los Angeles Lakers are near the halfway point of the season. Many are checking the calendar waiting for Westbrook’s improvement to kick in.

Right now it’s not looking good for Russell Westbrook or the Los Angeles Lakers.

• Westbrook’s free-throw attempts are down and he is shooting a career-worst 65 percent from the line.
• His turnovers were always a problem over his career, but this is ridiculous.
• His offensive rating is the worst of his career since his rookie season.
• Never a great shooter (Being kind!), but he’s having one of his worst seasons shooting the ball from all over the floor. Oh, this includes layups.
• What’s worse? His overall net negative impact to his team when he’s on the floor. His overall estimated plus-minus is -0.9, the worst of his career.

Oh, by the way, Russ’ zero turnover game? Pay attention folks. The Lakers took the point guard responsibilities from him and gave it to LeBron. Yes, the man is playing point center. That’s how bad things have gotten for Russell Westbrook.

Lake Show Life is proud to present a feature that every Los Angeles Lakers fan will need for the rest of this season and the next. A complete Russell Westbrook handbook that will provide complete understanding for every turnover, bad shot, missed open shooter and blown layup for the immediate future.

Over the next several (Oh we have a minute for this article!) pages, there’s total in-depth analysis to break down all of the frustrating questions that have been asked from Lakers Nation from this site to all social media over the internet.

The staff recommends that you save this link and pull it out for every game for the rest of Russ’ tenure in the purple and gold. Why? Because despite what article you have read throughout this season…THERE IS NO WAY THIS DUDE IS BEING TRADED!

The Lakers are stuck with him in the lineup and you the fan are stuck watching his shots carom off the side of the basket from the left side.

To get total context here, Lake Show Life has to go back in time to when Russ was just known as Russell Westbrook. Let’s get started…