Russell Westbrook can still help the Los Angeles Lakers

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 02: Russell Westbrook #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts to a play during the third quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Crypto.com Arena on January 02, 2022 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 Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 02: Russell Westbrook #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts to a play during the third quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Crypto.com Arena on January 02, 2022 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 Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)
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(Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers Russell Westbrook
(Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers Russell Westbrook

Los Angeles Lakers point guard Russell Westbrook’s biggest hoop dream was to play for his hometown team. Now it has become one of his worst nightmares.

The same reason why Russell Westbrook earned MVP honors and broke the record for triple-doubles is the same reason why this season has become a total disaster for the Lakers.

Pride.

As it says in the Book of Proverbs, pride goes before the fall.

Pride is why the Lakers have a .500 record. Pride is why Westbrook might be out of the league by the end of next season.

Everyone already knows why Westbrook’s career has crashed like a storm of biblical proportions: turnovers, missed shots, and his foolish postgame remarks.

There is no need to dwell on Westbrook’s past mistakes. Lake Show Life writers have already brilliantly dissected his time on the Lakers similar to how the late, great John Madden would analyze NFL games.

Russell Westbrook has to evolve his game on the Los Angeles Lakers.

He must adapt or his career will perish. And that is the bottom line because the NBA said so.

Maybe it takes getting stunned multiple times to make sense once again. He might just be ready to do what it takes to turn around his NBA career.

"“We gotta make a decision on, we just gotta play hard. Sometimes the schemes and how you play doesn’t really matter. You gotta play hard sometimes. Teams are just playing harder than us. Simple as that. Even when we are winning we give up a lot of points. Now it is showing, especially when we lose games.”"

Westbrook is finally publicly admitting that the Lakers need to play much harder and to step up on defense. We all know his teammates are not taking his words seriously. We all know the Lakers defense is terrible. We all know somebody needs to step up on that end.

Why not Russell Westbrook?