“Played Best Basketball as a Laker”: Lakers Legend Heaps Massive Praise on Russell Westbrook
With games in Toronto and Washington, Los Angeles Lakers combined some good with some terrible during the weekend, like they have done all season. Following a fantastic, crazy game against the Raptors, in which Russell Westbrook hit an improbable game-tying jumper, the Lakers followed it up with a second-half collapse in Washington the next night, falling to the Wizards.
So far, LeBron James and his teammates have struggled and are nowhere near the record they expected to have at the outset of the season. And the drop in Westbrook’s output has been a major factor in their struggles.
The 9-time All-Star is now averaging 18.1 points (lowest since 2009-10), 7.5 rebounds (lowest since 2014-15), and 7.2 assists (below his career average), while shooting a dismal 29.2 percent from 3-point range and 66.9 percent from the free-throw line. Mr. Triple Double, on the other hand, has had a big influence on the Lakers during the last three games, looking a lot like his former self.
Los Angeles Lakers star Russell Westbrook earns praise from Magic Johnson
Westbrook had a great game tonight against the Cavaliers, putting up 20 points, 11 assists, and four rebounds on 50 percent shooting. Magic Johnson praised Russell Westbrook for his improved play over the last three games, calling it the greatest he’s had as a Laker.
“In the last three games Russell Westbrook has played his best basketball as a Laker!“.
In the last three games Russell Westbrook has played his best basketball as a Laker!
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) March 22, 2022
Here, Magic is perfectly acceptable. This is without a doubt Westbrook’s greatest performance of the season. Westbrook has put up 21.3/8/9.7 in his last three games. Russell delivered a big 22-point, 10-rebound, 10-assist triple-double to help the Lakers win a dramatic OT win against the Raptors only a few nights after going off for a 30-point effort against the Rockets.
The former UCLA Bruin followed it up with a near triple-double in a 9-point defeat to the Wizards, with 22 points, 10 rebounds, and 8 assists.
