“Everybody says, 'I want to win a championship,' but there are very few willing to sacrifice what it takes to win a championship”- NBA analyst criticizes Russell Westbrook for refusing to come off the bench for LA Lakers
Famous TV personality and Football Hall of Famer Shannon Sharpe called out the LA Lakers' Russell Westbrook for not being a team player. Sharpe stated that Westbrook isn't ready to sacrifice enough for the Lakers to win a championship this season.
The Westbrook saga continues to dominate the headlines across sports shows. Westbrook's struggles have resulted in various former players and analysts calling for him to be brought off the bench.
Coach Darvin Ham tried the same during the Lakers' last preseason game. Westbrook, however, ended up hurting his hamstring minutes into the game.
With the Lakers getting run off the floor by the Golden State Warriors in their opening game, the alarm bells have started to ring again. The Lakers lost 123-109.
On a recent episode of "Skip and Shannon: Undisputed," Sharpe called out Russell Westbrook for not sacrificing enough for the team:
“Russell moaned and complained behind the scenes and Darwin Ham put him back into the starting lineup. ... Everybody says, 'I want to win a championship,' but there are very few willing to sacrifice what it takes to win a championship. ...
"Russell Westbrook has made the finals one time with 1, 2, 3, 4 top-75 players, and he himself is a top-75 player.”
Russell Westbrook has had a torrid time ever since he was traded to the LA Lakers last summer. With the Lakers continuing to struggle, and Westbrook's apparent refusal to come off the bench, things might get uglier as the season goes on.
.@ShannonSharpe reacts to Russell Westbrook not wanting to come off the bench:
“Everyone wants to win a championship but there are very few willing to sacrifice what it takes to win a championship.” https://t.co/e6JIARW0EK
LA Lakers might be in for another disastrous season
The LA Lakers face a lot of questions, especially after their horrible opening night showing. The Lakers lost comprehensively to the defending champions Golden State Warriors. LeBron James (31) and Anthony Davis (27) put up numbers, but the team looks average at best.
The Lakers have some glaring defenciences on their roster, including outside shooting and athletic two-way wings. In the modern NBA, these are the two most important aspects in building a championship team. After their disastrous 2021-22 season, the Lakers looked to revamp their roster.
General manager Rob Pelinka, who surprisingly got a new contract, traded away Talen Horter-Tucker and Stanley Johnson for Patrick Beverley. Pelinka also acquired a lot of guards and bigs on the roster, leaving the team short on the wings.
The Lakers' horrible team construction could lead to yet another disappointing season. With James nearing the end of his prime, this season could end up being a total waste for him and the Lakers.
LeBron James even conceded to the media after their opening-night loss that the LA Lakers lacked the 3-point specialists needed to win games.