The Los Angeles Lakers were considered as one of the favourites before the season started. But considering where they are right now, it is not a surprise. Their 2-3 record after five games is not surprising to many mainly because they anticipated that a team with so many star players may take time to get things going.
Chief coach Frank Vogel is still figuring things out with this new set of players. Hence revamping the majority of the squad was always a risk that the Lakers management took as they wanted to provide more support to LeBron James and Anthony Davis to bring the NBA title back home. However, LeBron himself has suffered from some knocks has missed a few games and it has affected the Lakers drastically. While Russell Westbrook has been decent and Anthony Davis has also shown consistency, the Purple and Gold army need more togetherness among the players.
However former NBA Champions and analyst Kendrick Perkins shared his opinion on the Lakers and highlighted how he feels that a team full of veterans will eventually figure out the problems. He also spoke about the difference between LeBron’s turnovers and Brodie’s turnovers.
Westbrook registered his first triple-double in a Lakers jersey in their recent defeat against the Oklahoma City Thunder. While he scored some crucial points, he also registered 10 turnovers which probably turned the game in their opponents’ favour.
Perk said: “I get all the 12 new players and I get all that. But we’re talking about a veteran ball club. We’re not talking about a young team, we’re talking about a veteran. Russell Westbrook has been to the finals. He knows what it takes, I was on that team. LeBron James has 4 championships. So, I mean you think about his turnovers, a lot of turnovers wasn’t his fault. Russell has a lot of unforced turnovers, it’s a difference.”
Westbrook is an aggressive player and sometimes while trying to dribble with pace he turns the ball over. He also steps out of bounds hence handing over the ball. He currently averages six turnovers per game. But considering LeBron’s turnovers it is mostly when he out-thinks a pass and his teammates make a mistake or even the opponents step in. So both instances are different and Westbrook needs to get accustomed to the pace at which the Lakers play.
