The Los Angeles Lakers had a forgetful start to the season as they lost their first three games and in those games Russell Westbrook has not impressed anyone with his performances. This takes us back to the moment where the new Lakers coach Darvin Ham came out in support of Westbrook and shared that he knows exactly how to unlock the point guard’s prowess once again. He also lashed out at the criticism and shared how excited he was to coach someone of Westbrook’s calibre.
While the Lakers point guard was once a sensational player and there is no denying that. But since last year his numbers have dropped drastically and hence the struggle on court is clear for the experts and also for the Lakers fans all over the world. Recently former NBA champion and expert Kendrick Perkins shared how Westbrook’s attitude is derailing the Lakers in the recent episode of NBA Today.
“Russ’ behavior is becoming cancerous to the team. … You know what Darvin Ham said about people and their feelings? Because when Russell Westbrook was on the bench, he was moping, he was complaining, he was chirping, he was saying little things under his breath,” stated Perkins.
“What do you do now? You send him home until you find somebody that’s gonna trade for him.”
In the last preseason game for the Lakers which was against the Sacramento Kings, Ham demoted Westbrook to the bench. He sat there for a few minutes and then started complaining of hamstring tightness which was healed by the start of the regular season. He then complained that he does not want to sit on the bench after he featured in the opening day loss against reigning champions Golden State Warriors.
Despite his complaints and poor results from the team, Ham kept him on the starting five and still he has made no difference for the Lakers rather he has made things worse. He is currently averaging 10 points, 28.9% shooting from the field, and an atrocious 8.3% from 3-point distance.
Kendrick Perkins suggests banning Westbrook as he is making the entire atmosphere toxic and corrosive. He feels that this type of individual should be kept away from the team. He feels its is too late for coach Ham or anyone from the management to work on the relationship with Westbrook as he believes it is not going to get better. Perkins shared, “You can’t continue to bring him into that locker room, bring him into that facility because his attitude is gonna wear on everybody, the coaching staff, his teammates and training staff. There’s no reason to try and make the relationship work. It’s gone!”
It is early on in the season and the Westbrook situation is already pulling the Los Angeles Lakers down as they are winless this season having lost three consecutive games.
