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3 keys to the Los Angeles Lakers unlocking Russell Westbrook

By Jason Reed

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - JANUARY 28: (L-R)LeBron James #6, Anthony Davis #3, and Russell Westbrook #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers look on from the sideline during the first half of the game against the Charlotte Hornets at Spectrum Center on January 28, 2022 in Charlotte, North Carolina. 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 Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - JANUARY 28: (L-R)LeBron James #6, Anthony Davis #3, and Russell Westbrook #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers look on from the sideline during the first half of the game against the Charlotte Hornets at Spectrum Center on January 28, 2022 in Charlotte, North Carolina. 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 Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

1. Significantly limit the number of minutes that Anthony Davis plays with Russell Westbrook

Simply put, Russell Westbrook should not share the court much with Anthony Davis next season. This obviously will restrict Westbrook’s minutes and we will dive into the exact number that he should land on with the second key in this article.

If Davis is playing 34 minutes per game next season then that only gives Westbrook 14 minutes of playing time. Westbrook should play all of the minutes that Davis is not on the court and he naturally will end up sharing the court with Davis during the game. It should be limited, though, and should not be as much as it was last season.

Westbrook made Davis a worse player when they were sharing the court last season. AD got off to an awful start where his scoring was down as he turned from being the dominant presence inside that utilized his athleticism to someone who was becoming a jump shooter.

Davis was the worst jump shooter in the league to start last season but that did not stop him from taking them. Why? The floor spacing was horrible with the team not only having Westbrook, but a traditional five as well.

The paint was already clogged and it got worse when Westbrook would drive and kick. Teams don’t have to respect Westbrook’s shooting (more on that later) making life harder for Davis. Davis and Westbrook were the third-worst two-man lineup on the entire team last season with a -5.4 net rating.

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