Russell Westbrook claims he doesn’t know whose primary job it is to get Anthony Davis going: "When I’m in, I’m doing the best job I can, making the right reads"
Russell Westbrook’s main role with the LA Lakers has currently been to bring in the spark, energy and defense as the team’s sixth man. While the former MVP’s game has picked up over his last four outings, fellow superstar Anthony Davis’ has dropped, particularly in the second half.
When asked in a postgame interview about whose primary role it was to ensure AD got it going, Westbrook had a surprising answer:
"I don't know whose primary job is it to do that, if I'm being honest. I will leave it up to the coaches to figure out the best way to utilize everyone. When I'm in, I do the best job I can, making the right reads, trying to make the game easy for them when I'm in."
Russell Westbrook (19 pts, 10 ast) reflects on his performance against the Cavs. https://t.co/qeXgDFRNAG
Over the last two games, Anthony Davis’ production has massively slumped in the last 24 minutes of both games. He had 20 points in the first half against the Utah Jazz when the LA Lakers exploded for 75 points. AD eventually finished with 22 points.
After the game, he vowed to be more assertive on offense, especially during crunch time. He told the media that going more than five to six minutes without touching the ball was a big no-no. AD promised to get hold of the ball whether he shoots it or not.
With the help of Russell Westbrook early in the first half against the Cleveland Cavaliers, Davis got going with 17 points. Almost every time the Lakers had possession, they were making AD the fulcrum of the offense.
Despite the presence of the Cleveland Cavaliers’ twin-tower combo of Evan Mobley and All-Star Jarrett Allen, Davis dominated the paint.
Anthony Davis put the onus on himself after scoring just 2 points in the second half on four shots: "(I need to be) demanding the ball. Had some good looks, missed them. I can’t allow myself to go four, five or six minutes without getting a shot, whether I start hot or not."
Like the Utah Jazz game, the eight-time All-Star had another disappearing act in the second half. He only had two points to inch in his total to 19 points for the game. Davis vowed to be assertive, but when the Cleveland Cavaliers launched a blistering 17-0 run, he merely gave way to Russell Westbrook or LeBron James.
The LA Lakers played their best offense with Davis at the center of everything. They looked like a play-in team when he was disengaged or when the playmakers refused to feed him the ball.
Was Russell Westbrook’s answer a subtle shot at LeBron James?
For Russell Westbrook to admit that they didn’t know whose job it was to get Anthony Davis his touches were almost laughable. Darvin Ham announced during training camp that the offense will run through Davis, a strategy that was signed off by LeBron James.
“King James” echoed Russell Westbrook’s conclusion of getting Davis more involved after the 114-100 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers. However, he stopped right there as he knew who the LA Lakers’ playmakers were.
Although he’s a nominal forward, it has been the four-time MVP who normally orchestrates plays for the Lakers.
More importantly, when games are tight down the stretch, it’s James who decides what to run instead of Westbrook. So Russ saying he didn’t know whose job it was to keep AD involved could be a slight dig at James.
Taking the lead into the break
@AntDavis23 17 pts, 8 reb
@russwest44 14 pts, 5 ast https://t.co/Wh49f2fGtX
Westbrook came off the bench in the second half against the Cavs as well. He got in with about eight minutes left in the third quarter. In the four minutes that he was off the floor, it was very clearly James’ job to involve Anthony Davis.
Russell Westbrook seemed to know who made the bigger mistake than him in his postgame interview. Maybe he didn’t want to offend LeBron James or maybe that was a subtle shot aimed at the team’s franchise player.