Lakers’ LeBron James on Russell Westbrook’s as His Slump in Form Continues: “Haven’t Done a Great Job of Helping Him”

The Milwaukee Bucks defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 131-116 on Tuesday night, with Giannis Antetokounmpo scoring 44 points on a 17-for-20 shooting and Bobby Portis adding 23 points and five 3-pointers. Even on a rare night with both superstars in their injury-plagued lineup, the Lakers couldn’t catch up to the champions, with LeBron James scoring 27 points and Anthony Davis adding 22 points and nine rebounds.

Los Angeles Lakers have dropped five of its last seven games, falling three games below.500. While most of the focus on the Los Angeles Lakers this season has been on Russell Westbrook’s acquisition and how the point guard has not been an ideal fit.

Russell WestBrook

LeBron James argues that no single player is to blame for the team’s continued mediocrity as the trade deadline approaches on Thursday. James remarked on the relationship between the team’s Big 3 when questioned about that moment in the waning seconds of the game.

LeBron James admits not doing a great job helping Russell Westbrook

“I want to help AD. I want to help Russ. AD want to help me help Russ and Russ wants to help us,” James said postgame. “Lately, Russ hasn’t felt like he’s had an opportunity or with an opportunity given, he’s hasn’t helped us as much as he’d like. We haven’t done a great job of helping him.”

Russell Westbrook performance vs Bucks

Russell Westbrook finished with 10 points on 3-of-11 shooting, 10 assists, and four turnovers in yet another dreadful performance for the Lakers’ former MVP. He was pulled off with 2:34 remaining in the third quarter vs Bucks and did not return in the fourth quarter as the Lakers rallied.

Westbrook expressed his disappointment that he was unable to participate in the final session, and he was spotted on the bench consoling James and Davis when the rally fell short. Westbrook said he will defer to Vogel’s decision, but that he believes he has “earned the right” to finish games.

The home audience booed Westbrook at times, especially when he missed an 11-foot shot in the first half and committed two turnovers in 12 seconds in the second half.

With both James and Davis in the lineup, Los Angeles fell to 10-8 amid a season marked by a lack of consistency owing to long absences for the team’s two centerpieces. James appeared fatigued at times in only his second game back after a five-game hiatus for the Lakers, who haven’t won consecutive games since Jan. 7.