Russell Westbrook should ‘take more blame’ for his horrid Lakers stint, says NBA legend Magic Johnson

Magic Johnson, a former Los Angeles Lakers player and member of the Basketball Hall of Fame, has urged Russell Westbrook to “take the blame” for his disappointing performance to this point this season. Johnson recently spoke about the Westbrook situation during an episode of Shannon Sharpe’s podcast. 

On Sunday, the squad’s defeat to the Portland Trail Blazers marked a new low in the Westbrook scenario. Despite having 18 seconds left on the shot clock, Westbrook carried the ball up the court and erroneously swished a jump shot with 30 seconds left and the Lakers holding to a one-point advantage. 

A few plays later, Jerami Grant made the go-ahead layup to seal the victory for the Blazers and send the Lakers to an 0-3 start. Westbrook ended the game with 10 points on 4-of-15 hitting, six rebounds, and six assists while trying to rationalize his choice by claiming that he was aiming for a two-for-one. 

This season, he has averaged 10.3 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 4.3 assists per game while shooting 28.9 percent from the field and 8.3 percent from beyond the arc. His underwhelming performance, the Lakers’ winless start, and the persistent trade speculation have made the beginning of the league into a circus that doesn’t seem to be letting up. 

Johnson said that if Westbrook took responsibility for his mistakes, he might start to get along better with the public and the media.

“Take responsibility first—number one, that’s one. I do not even play well if that’s the case. In 1984, when I struggled against the Celtics, I was honest with myself and accepted responsibility. I had to tell myself, “I’ve got to get better,” since I didn’t really play well and contributed to the Lakers losing that series. What then did I do? I spent the entire summer working out hard and improving.  The following year, in 1985, we faced them once more. We won, and you didn’t notice? “Man, I was on fire.” Say “you know what, I didn’t play well, but I’m going to play better,” and stop trying to fight the media and the fans. Additionally, they perform on the court. That is how you put an end to all that is happening. You cannot attempt to do it by waging a futile battle against them or becoming enraged with the media or the supporters since the media is employed. They’re going to tell you if you’re not performing well. I didn’t play well in ’84, so I didn’t mind people taking swings at me. “

Russell, this is basketball championship territory. We understand the success of basketball. So, pay attention, simply show up, do your job, and accept it if you don’t play well. Still, say it. Then return and, perhaps, perform better the following time. Fans will respect you for it if you do that. When I said that I didn’t play well, they respected me. You are the point guard, in possession of the ball, and the leader on the court. Better decisions must be made, layups must be made, and shots must be made. You then need to play hard.

This is sound advice in general, and the atmosphere would likely be less tense if Westbrook had a friendlier disposition. Johnson is true in that it ultimately comes down to producing at a high level on the floor, but it isn’t the main issue. As it stands now, Westbrook is no longer able to accomplish it, especially on this squad, as evidenced by last season and the start of this one.

Johnson talks about his desire to get better the summer before the Lakers’ redemption in the 1985 Finals—he was 25 years old at the time and just beginning his prime—and the Lakers’ 1984 Finals loss to the Celtics. Westbrook is long past his prime and will soon turn 34. It’s difficult for him to just improve at this point in his career.

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