NBA analyst criticizes Lakers' backcourt for their choking performance: "I said the Lakers have the worst starting backcourt in the NBA, might have understated it”
The LA Lakers are without a doubt on the hot seat this season. After failing to qualify for the playoffs last season, many began calling for the franchise to trade Russell Westbrook in hopes of bringing in some three-point shooting. Going into the offseason, it seemed as though a trade for Westbrook was nearly a guaranteed deal, however, nothing ever came to fruition.
With injuries sidelining LeBron James and Anthony Davis for long stretches during the course of the season, it was easy for Westbrook to be the scapegoat for the team's struggles. As the only member of the Lakers big 3 to play more than 60 games over the course of last season, Westbrook's play was put under the microscope.
Many questioned whether Westbrook would even start for the franchise. Throughout the course of the first 2 games of the season, Westbrook has started alongside Patrick Beverley - a duo that head coach Darvin Ham feels is a nightmare for opposing teams. Despite that, analyst Nick Wright isn't sold on the pair. During a recent episode of First Thing's First, he spoke about the situation, saying:
"I said the Lakers have the worst starting backcourt in the NBA. I might have understated it — it's maybe the worst starting backcourt AND backcourt off the bench in the NBA. It's not all on Russ."
Check out his comments in the video below!
It's important to mention that despite a rough second game, Westbrook played phenomenally during the team's opening game. While LeBron James and Patrick Beverley struggled, it was Westbrook who put on a spectacular show with 19 points and 11 rebounds in just over 30 minutes played. As many have pointed out, Westbrook's shortcomings make headlines far more often than his stellar play.
Where do the Lakers go from here?
Although we're only two games into the season, many fans are wondering what the rest of this season holds for the Lakers. Throughout the course of the team's first two games, the team has shot the ball terribly from beyond the arc. Given that, it's no secret that the franchise is in desperate need of some perimeter scorers. Unfortunately, there's no clear-cut way for the team to acquire them.
As Wright previously pointed out, much of LeBron James' success in the league came on teams that surrounded him with perimeter shooters. Throughout the team's first two games, opposing teams have completely sagged off them from the three-point line, instead packing the paint to prevent interior scoring attempts.
With teams content to allow the Lakers to shoot the ball from three, something will need to change if they have any hopes of making a run in the playoffs. Unfortunately, it seems as though with no teams interested in trading for Westbrook, the Lakers may have to completely shake things up if they want to turn their season around.
The way head coach Darvin Ham sees things, however, the team simply needs some more time to find their chemistry on the floor. Whether or not that is true remains to be seen.