"If you guys try and do this, this is what's going to go down" - NBA analyst speculates Russell Westbrook's hamstring issue is a deliberate move to put Lakers on notice regarding his role on the team
Russell Westbrook came off the bench in the Los Angeles Lakers' final preseason game. While it marked Westbrook's first appearance with the second unit since his rookie season, he quickly left the game with a hamstring injury.
Following Westbrook's claim that coming off the bench contributed to the injury, former NBA player and current analyst Richard Jefferson said that the 2016-17 NBA MVP was sending a message.
Russell Westbrook said he "absolutely" believes that Lakers coach Darvin Ham's decision to bring him off the bench in L.A.'s preseason finale could have caused the hamstring strain he suffered that night. es.pn/3CNxvOj
During a recent appearance on NBA Today, Jefferson stated:
"He was sending a message that 'if you guys try and do this, this is what's going to go down, like oh my hamstring's hurt. If I'm not starting and I'm probable then I won't be there to start the season'. Then it becomes this distraction and all of a sudden the ball starts to move a little bit faster than everyone thinks."
He added:
"This was a message, that's all it was. Then he sends another message, no different than what we talked about last season at the end of the year 'oh, I didn't know what to do', you're a professional, be a professional, figure it out. Our job is not to start you and sacrifice our team and everything because you can't figure it out."
The analyst further noted:
"I don't think it's fair to Russ because Russ doesn't have things around him that he needs to succeed, but ultimately this is a message and it's whether or not he's going to get it."
He also said:
"They tried to have him come off the bench and then Frank Vogel's gone, we're gonna figure this out. Now, the new coach is like 'what do we think about bringing you off the bench?' 'Oh, my hamstring hurts, blah, blah, blah, that's not gonna be it, I don't even know what to do'."
If Russell Westbrook is attempting to send a message, then it represents a deeper issue within the roster. While his resume is certainly better than that of their other point guards, his fit alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis has been questionable since day one.
Watch Richard Jefferson discuss Russell Westbrook's hamstring injury below:
"He was sending a message that 'if you guys try and do this… this is what's gonna go down.'"
Richard Jefferson on Russell Westbrook attributing his hamstring tweak to him coming off the bench
https://t.co/fsyHJT4ebq
Russell Westbrook trade options
The best possible outcome for both Russell Westbrook and the Los Angeles Lakers remains finding the point guard a new home. Unfortunately, for both sides, there are no potential suitors lining up to acquire the former NBA MVP.
His decline in performance last season, combined with his $47 million salary, that pays him more than every player outside of Steph Curry, has discouraged teams from signing Westbrook. In return, teams are asking for both of the Lakers' tradeable first-round picks.
The Lakers 'seriously considered' sending Russell Westbrook and their two unprotected first-round picks (2027 and 2029) to the Pacers for Myles Turner and Buddy Hield, per @ShamsCharania, @jovanbuha and @sam_amick
Rob Pelinka chose to "remain patient" to see how L.A. jells https://t.co/fa5KFg4X6m
Attaching two first-round picks to move Russell Westbrook's contract, which has just one year remaining, would not be wise. This particularly holds true when the picks are so far away that the Lakers could be without James, and even Davis by then. Unless a star becomes available or teams lower their asking price, it is likely that the Lakers will hold on to Westbrook and hope for a bounce-back season.
Darvin Ham's take on the Lakers performance in season opener
Los Angeles Lakers head coach Darvin Ham coached his first NBA game in the season opener. Following the game, Ham shared his thoughts on the Lakers' performance.
Ham's main take away was that the Lakers need to develop chemistry, stating:
"Chemistry is not like Malt-O-Meal, it's not instant, you don't just throw it in the microwave. That's something that has to be baked over a course of time, and we'll get there the more we keep getting the reps in, when we're able to practice, shootaround, film work, we'll get to the point where we know each other and it's second nature the way we play basketball."
Ham noted that the roster will need to shore up their offense and do a better job of protecting the ball. He stated that he can live with competitive turnovers, but the Lakers offense had many where they didn't force the defense to work.
Watch Darvin Ham's comments on the Lakers' season opener below:
"We had a lot of senseless turnovers, but it's game-1. We have an opportunity to coach this team and tighten things up and get better." - Darvin Ham shares his thoughts after the #Lakers' season opener. https://t.co/xGOlXFLGmR