Russell Westbrook believes sacrifice is a part of winning the games: “I'll sacrifice whatever it is that needs to be sacrificed”
Russell Westbrook came off the bench for the first time since 2008 in the LA Lakers’ 111-102 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves. The former MVP showed flashes of his old form as he went back to being the ball-dominant player with the second unit.
Here’s what Westbrook had to say after the game when asked about his new sixth-man role for the Lakers:
“From Day 1, like I mentioned, I’ve said [I’m a] guy who’s willing to do whatever for the team. I’ve sacrificed whatever it is that need to be sacrificed. Parts of the game that I’ve done for years to accommodate whatever it is that the coach needs me to do. And I’ll continue doing that.
“Coming off last season. Sacrificing. OK. Sacrificing more, and you’re still losing. It’s difficult. Especially playing, and doing things I know I can be able to help out our guys. And I’ll continue to do whatever is asked of me. We’ll figure it out and get on the board.”
Russell Westbrook told the media last week that coming off the bench against the Sacramento Kings was the reason for his hamstring injury. Most basketball analysts asserted that it was Westbrook’s way of sending Darvin Ham a message that he won’t accept a bench role.
In the loss against the Portland Trail Blazers, "Russ" reportedly gambled after being benched for 11 minutes. It remains to be seen how long this will continue without Westbrook going back on his word about sacrificing.
Last season, former coach Frank Vogel reportedly wanted to make Russell Westbrook the LA Lakers’ sixth man. The front office, however, was supposedly reluctant to do that as they didn’t want to antagonize the superstar point guard even more.
The former OKC Thunder star also pushed back hard against Vogel last season when he was benched in crucial moments of the game. He said that he had earned the equity to play in crucial game situations.
All things considered, Russell Westbrook coming off the bench was a relative success for the Lakers Friday night.
Still, Los Angeles is 0-5 to start the season.
@jovanbuha takes a look at the film to find a sliver of hope for the Lakers:
theathletic.com/3741235/2022/1… https://t.co/5IfIOeKUhm
Russell Westbrook looked explosive and more like the old “Russ” when he didn’t have LeBron James and Anthony Davis for stretches. This might be a role that the Lakers will pursue further as the season goes on.
Russell Westbrook changing roles with the LA Lakers
When Darvin Ham was hired as the new coach, reports surfaced that he had more authority than Frank Vogel to bench Russell Westbrook. If the former MVP’s impact is more maximized with the second unit, Ham had the front office’s authority to do what was necessary.
After struggling against the LA Clippers, where he shot 0 of 11, the rumors of Westbrook coming off the bench only got louder. Ham, however, kept him in the starting unit in the following game against the Portland Trail Blazers.
The LA Lakers played their best basketball during that game during Westbrook’s 11 minutes off the bench. They also looked disjointed once he was re-inserted back into the lineup.
Lakers plan for Russell Westbrook to come off the bench “for the foreseeable future,” per @wojespn https://t.co/IUhO6gt5nU
After sitting out the Denver Nuggets game, Ham finally decided to try what many have been clamoring for. Russell Westbrook started off the bench and looked better than in his previous two games. It is a role that is likely to stick as the LA Lakers are desperately trying to figure out what works for them.