One of the wildest games in recent memory took place last night as one team came out on top, while another lost. Russell Westbrook’s Christmas Day debut was a quick and often confusing ride with some great highlights mixed between moments of despair for Los Angeles Lakers fans watching at home.
Shaquille O’Neal personally gave Russell Westbrook blunt advice while watching the roller-coaster Lakers courtside. The Lakers are currently in a win-win situation with the Oklahoma City Thunder, who have been struggling this season. Read more in detail here: when did shaq retire.
There’s no getting about it: Russell Westbrook has had a difficult time with the Los Angeles Lakers. Because of Westbrook’s flaws, he has received a great deal of criticism. Shaquille O’Neal, the Hall of Fame point player, recently gave the top point guard some direct advice.
Russell Westbrook explains why he was benched in the fourth quarter.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q6a3fn8e2 8
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After being benched in the fourth quarter, Westbrook’s performance in a Lakers outfit has been analyzed more closely.
The star point guard’s inability to adapt has been a recurring problem, leading him to address it once again after the team’s road victory over the Orlando Magic.
“My duty as a player, as a professional, is to perform my job and continue to look for ways to contribute to winning,” Westbrook told ESPN. “That’s all I could think of as I turned the page, and that’s exactly what I attempted to accomplish tonight.”
With 18 points, 11 rebounds, seven assists, and three steals, he had a strong all-around effort. He had an effect on both sides of the court, helping the Lakers go back to.500 with a 23-23 record.
His performance comes after Westbrook was benched for the last three minutes and 52 seconds of the fourth quarter in last Wednesday’s defeat to the Indiana Pacers by head coach Frank Vogel. Since then, Vogel has supported Westbrook, applauding his handling of the difficult circumstance.
“Russ has a lot of character,” Vogel added. “We knew we’d have to reply.” We checked in later to make sure we were on the same page – we’re simply trying to win the game. And now it’s time to go on to Orlando. And he did an excellent job of sustaining that concentration, and we’re all dedicated to this group’s success. We continue to believe in what we can achieve. Throughout the year, there have been a lot of ups and downs. But we’ve made up our minds.”
Because of Westbrook’s inability to maintain consistency among the Lakers’ flaws, he has received a lot of flak. It’s forced a former Lakers great to give him direct advise.
While witnessing the Lakers’ roller-coaster season from the stands, Shaquille O’Neal offered Russell Westbrook some tough counsel.
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As long as Westbrook’s problems remain, the rumors about him will continue to circulate.
Shaquille O’Neal, a Hall of Famer, was in attendance for the Lakers’ game against the Magic on Friday, and he spoke with Westbrook throughout the game. O’Neal is heard warning the former NBA MVP that he’s “playing way too f***ing fast” in a now-viral video.
It’s a complaint Westbrook has heard a lot in recent years. His performance is sometimes regarded as one-speed, which contributes to his decision-making issues in late-game scenarios. He has, however, been extremely stubborn in adhering to the playing style that has helped him rise to the top of the league’s skill rankings.
With the Lakers, those worries have only grown as he has failed to contribute with consistent performance in his new position. Injuries have played a role, but Westbrook hasn’t made much progress in terms of finding a comfortable position.
It’ll be interesting to see whether he takes O’Neal’s counsel to heart, but it could only help him find his feet.
Russell Westbrook and the Lakers will have to tough it out.
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The Lakers may already want to move on from Westbrook, but his big remaining deal has rendered him immovable.
The 33-year-old is in the fourth year of his five-year, $206.8 million contract, which pays him $44.2 million this season and has a $47 million player option for 2022-23. In other words, the Lakers will have to play the rest of the season without their star point guard.
It does, however, provide Westbrook the chance to turn things around and show that he can help the team compete for an NBA championship. The Lakers’ second-half drive toward the playoffs should be aided by Anthony Davis’ impending comeback.
The Lakers’ clock is ticking, but there’s still time to work things out.
Spotrac provided the contract numbers.
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Russell Westbrook Responds to Lakers Trade Rumors Affecting His Performance: ‘I Never Worry,’ says the narrator.
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