Russell Westbrook was never a good fit for the Los Angeles Lakers. The fans knew it, his colleagues knew it, the media knew it, and even Rob Pelinka knew it. Then again, LeBron James and Anthony Davis wanted him, so he got the deal done.
The first red flags showed as early as preseason. He was turning the ball over at an absurd rate, yet some thought it was just a matter of time before they figured things out. That never happened.
Westbrook later became Frank Vogelâs scapegoat. The fans took offense to his poor defense and erratic shotmaking and it all went south pretty quickly. However, Gilbert Arenas believes the ones to blame for that are the coaching staff and not Westbrook.
NBA News: Lakers Didnât Put Russell Westbrook In A Position To Succeed, Says Gilbert Arenas
âItâs more of like just any position player right if you become a third option receiver when youâre used to being in the number one position,â Arenas said. âNow youâre a third and now your brain has to try to process how to fit in like I remember you went there youâre still a number one option. But now your third option on this team getting less catches, running the same routes like you know and everybodyâs like yo you ainât doing what youâve been doing.â
âIf youâre not a coach that knows how to tweak your playbook for a certain player, youâre trying to make him fit into a role that Caruso fit in, Rondo fit in, KCP fit in. You have to as a coach, put plays in for him,â the former All-Star concluded.
Arenas has a valid point right there. They wanted Westbrook to be Westbrook, yet they didnât even draw plays for him. So, even if he shouldâve known better and triedto make adjustments, how is he expected to do what makes him great? And whoâs to say thatâll change next season?
