Russell Westbrook opens up on LA Lakers' 2-8 start: "Kinda play the cards that you are dealt... It's all part of the game"
Russell Westbrook believes that adversity is part of playing in the NBA. The nine-time All-Star made this remark after the LA Lakers fell to their third straight loss.
The Lakers were beaten 116-139 by the Utah Jazz in a contest that also saw the purple-and-gold franchise play without LeBron James because of a thumb injury.
Speaking during a post-game media interaction, Russell Westbrook was asked whether the Lakers' overall losing record was due to injuries and illnesses that had limited the franchise.
The nine-time All-Star replied:
"I mean you just kinda play the cards that you are dealt. All kind of things happen that can change it around. It's all part of the game, all part of the NBA season."
Having dropped to a 2-8 record to start the season, Westbrook was also asked whether he has seen enough over the last 10 games to believe that the Lakers can turn the corner. He replied in his trademark stoic manner:
"Take one day at a time. We're just gonna keep competing and then kinda see what happens."
Reporter: "Are you feeling more comfortable out there on the floor?"
Westbrook: "I wake up comfortable." 😉 https://t.co/mLVkBqGz6s
Russell Westbrook is averaging 19.3 ppg off the bench for the LA Lakers
It has now been six games since Russell Westbrook started coming off the bench for the LA Lakers. On Monday, he posted 22 points to go with five assists, one steal and one block even as he shot 57 percent from the floor and 67 percent from downtown.
It was Westbrook's second 20-point game of the season, with a season-high 26-point showing also coming against the Jazz last week on November 4.
Westbrook was moved to a reserve spot against Minnesota on October 28. Since then, he has averaged 19.3 ppg, while shooting 51.3 percent from the field and 48 percent from behind the three-point line in his six appearances off the bench. Westbrook is also averaging 6.8 apg and 5.3 rpg as a reserve.
The former league MVP was asked about his stellar play coming off the bench for the Lakers and whether he was beginning to feel comfortable in that role. Westbrook replied tongue-in-cheek:
"I wake up comfortable."
The problem for the Lakers was their defense. Having ranked among the league's top three teams over the first couple of weeks, the Lakers now figure outside the top 10 on the defensive rating parameter.
In their two meetings against the Utah Jazz, the Lakers gave up 130 points last week and a season-high 139 points tonight. They also conceded 114 points to the Cleveland Cavaliers in a loss on Sunday.
Russell Westbrook was asked about the team's defensive efforts over the last couple of games. He was queried about the specific reason for the team's decline – whether it was because of a lack of effort, habit-based, or the chemistry between team personnel.
Again, Westbrook offered no real insight into the team's defensive woes, with the two-time scoring champ instead replying in a straight-faced manner:
"Not really sure. I don't really have an answer to that one."