The Los Angeles Lakers are having one of the worst seasons as a collective team. However, looking at what LA’s players are achieving individually is the exact opposite story. LA’s major point of attraction, LeBron James, is doing wonders in the NBA. After having a slow start to the season, King James quickly came back to his lethal form. He is close to breaking NBA’s All-time scoring record to take over Kareem Abdul Jabbar. Meanwhile, Russell Westbrook is on another level, scoring incredible triple-doubles coming off the bench.
The players are creating a remarkable history on the surface of the NBA. However, the players’ efforts are not converting for the Lakers as a team. It has been a problem since the season began. The players wearing the Purple and Gold are exceptional in their own ways but do not combine well with the team’s efforts. Russell Westbrook and LeBron James are players who don’t go hand in hand. But the stats suggest Westbrook helps James attack more toward the rim. Russ was always highly criticized in the arena because of his failures last season. But his new role has made him achieve new heights in the NBA.
Russell Westbrook Silently Breaking All Records
The nine-time All-star went from most hated to one of the most favorite sixth-man contenders in the league. All it took was some tailoring from the first-time head coach Darvin Ham. The pair knows each other from the past, and Ham knows about Westbrook’s untapped potential. Russell Westbrook was always considered one of the misfit superstars between LeBron and Davis. However, soon, when he started listening to his head coach, the game inside the Lakers suddenly changed. The misfit became the most needed off-the-bench player for the Purple and Gold.
Once settled into the role that the 2017 MVP never once played in his entire career. Russell Westbrook became the face of the second unit and the force needed on the court when Davis and LeBron rested. This role helped him accomplish incredible records, like the most triple-doubles off the bench in a single season. Westbrook is among only a few to score four triple-doubles coming off the bench in one season. He also leads the list of NBA’s All-time triple-doubles.
The 2017 championship winner is also closing in on the NBA’s All-time top 10 assists list. Records suggest Russell Westbrook is only 12 assists away from passing the Hall of Famer Gary Payton. In over 1067 games, Russ has poured in 8,955 assists, while Payton ended his career with 8.966 assists. Taking over Gary would make him a strong candidate for his name to be written in the NBA’s Hall of Fame. To make his Hall of Fame stronger, he became only the 28th player to cross the 28,000 points mark. Despite a challenging season for the team Russell Westbrook continues to shine even after all the hate.
