Skip Bayless criticizes LeBron James snooping into uncalled-for activities in LA Lakers: “How can you put that guy in the Hall of Fame?”
Skip Bayless has once again taken aim at LeBron James and, yes, it's regarding guard Russell Westbrook and LA Lakers owner Jeanie Buss.
Bayless's comments reinforced his previous stance, that James has too much pull in the Lakers organization and is partially responsible for last season’s 33-49 debacle.
The new turn of events in Bayless’s narrative, however, is his doubt that Russell Westbrook will join the Hall of Fame.
Bayless used James as an example of why players should not be allowed to make the shots. The analyst essentially used this as an example for Westbrook’s Hall of Fame status being in jeopardy.
“With Russell Westbrook, I don’t think in my career I’ve ever seen a player fall faster than he fell last year from first-ballot lock, first-ballot Hall of Famer to does he even belong in the Hall of Fame?" Bayless said. "By the end of the year I’m thinking, 'How can you put that guy in the Hall of Fame?' ... It was turnover blooper reel’”
Westbrook averaged 3.8 turnovers per game last season. That was actually his lowest turnover average since 2013-14 with the OKC Thunder. His scoring average took a hit, down to 18.5 a game, which is his lowest since 2009-10.
But the Lakers have offensive threats. Russell is on the squad to utilize his speed, help create plays and be a solid defender. Nobody took Westbrook in thinking he was going to solo the offense on a squad with Anthony Davis and LeBron James. A decrease in scoring made sense.
As part of the stacked Lakers squad, Westbrook’s minutes fell as well. Russ averaged 34.3 minutes a game, which was his lowest since 2013-14.
Last season was definitely a disappointment for the Lakers, but it does not read as bad for Russ as most put it out to be.
Westbrook finished the season having made adjustments on his turnovers and playing to his strengths. He then came into this season in a new role and has been excelling.
Bayless praised Westbrook for his performance this season.
“I’ve never seen a player fall so far and then rise so quickly in a brand new role in which he embraced. … He comes off the best fast,” Bayless said.
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Is LeBron James at fault for Russell Westbrook’s quivering Hall of Fame status?
Keeping in mind that Russ is the only player in the league to win a scoring title, MVP award and average a triple-double in the same season, we dig deeper into his Hall of Fame probability. (Basketball-Reference.com lists Westbrook's HOF chances at 99.9%.)
Last season – which could still be up for debate as to just how bad it was – should not limit the triple-double king’s chances.
Westbrook ranks first for triple-doubles in a season with 42, for consecutive games with a triple-double and for 50-point triple-doubles in a season (three).
Westbrook is the only player to average a triple-double through three consecutive seasons, to average a triple-double in four out of five seasons and to record a triple-double without missing a free-throw or a field goal. He remains the only player to ever average 40 points, 12 rebounds and 11 assists over a five-game span.
Among many, many other accolades, Westbrook’s name is even paired with Michael Jordan’s. Both are the only two players in history to average at least 33 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists over a 10-game span.
Now, keeping all of this in mind, we move forward to Bayless.
Bayless said that last season perhaps jeopardized Westbrook's chances of making the Hall of Fame. He attributed LeBron James' push for Russ as the first step in the problem.
“It was widely reported … that (LeBron) encouraged Jeanie and (general manager) Rob (Pelinka) to go get Russell Westbrook at any price,” Bayless said.
Regardless, Jeanie Buss had the final say-so in the matter and could have quashed James’ request for Russell whenever she wanted.
Of course, it is hard to say no to The King, especially when he recently delivered another championship. But there had to have been something attractive for gaining Russ in the eyes of the front office.
Regardless of who was at fault, Westbrook’s legacy should not be tainted by one debatably poor season in a new role.