hypothetically, if Westbrook does adjust his game, what is the best case scenario?
Becomes a 6th man type of player to come off bench and lead the second unit?
Could be in closing lineup depending on match up? Can he become a strict 3 + D player assuming he can make respectable rate of corner 3’s?
Best case scenario...
He turns into a defensing beast. Physically he has all the tools. On offense he focuses on setting teammates up as opposed to getting his. He takes very few 3 point shots. Only wide open 3's and mostly in the short corner. Lastly he does all the things that the casual fans don't pay attention to on both ends.
Sets screens
Cuts
Move without the ball
Pushes pace with intent on creating, but under control
Slows himself down when needed
Does not try to be the hero
Does not hunt rebounds
Boxes out
Sets aside his ego
Gets back to shooting 80% FT (this would be a godsend for him and the team)
Best case scenario is for Russ to become what Rondo was in the Bubble.
Bubble Rondo accepted a limited bench role, shot lights out from 3, controlled the game on both ends with his historically high bball IQ, and was a revered, galvanizing locker room presence.
Which of those attributes do you see Russ capable of, let alone willing to, achieve?
Bubble Rondo and present-day Russ are quite literally polar opposite players.
Best case scenario is for Russ to become what Rondo was in the Bubble.
Bubble Rondo accepted a limited bench role, shot lights out from 3, controlled the game on both ends with his historically high bball IQ, and was a revered, galvanizing locker room presence.
Which of those attributes do you see Russ capable of, let alone willing to, achieve?
Bubble Rondo and present-day Russ are quite literally polar opposite players.
Joined: 27 May 2010 Posts: 48600 Location: LA to the Bay
Posted: Mon Sep 26, 2022 1:43 pm Post subject:
LakerSD wrote:
Looks like he’s not going to back down and neither is the team.
They are making it known that he may not start and he’s going with the “even if you don’t like your job, you show up and be Russ.”
Yeah his interview was interesting.
If folks want to read into things instead of focusing on that one picture with AD and LeBron that looks totally different depending on what angle you look at it from, folks should check out his presser from today.
Looks like he’s not going to back down and neither is the team.
They are making it known that he may not start and he’s going with the “even if you don’t like your job, you show up and be Russ.”
Yeah his interview was interesting.
If folks want to read into things instead of focusing on that one picture with AD and LeBron that looks totally different depending on what angle you look at it from, folks should check out his presser from today.
I don't expect him to change overnight. He has a stubborn personality. He will go out in flames before he concedes anything. There will be drama this season.
Best case scenario is for Russ to become what Rondo was in the Bubble.
Huh? excellent 3pt shooting and amazing passing? Those are two of Brick's weakest traits. There's a better chance of Nunn becoming MVP than for Brick to be a 40% 3pt shooter with amazing handles and not turning the ball over.
Rondo and Bron were two of the best passers in the bubble. Brick would turn the ball over even without passing it.
I mean who knows you know can't read peoples minds so who knows if that's just a soundbite or first day enthusiasm or what. But I am hopeful that the experience of working with a new head coach is beneficial for Russ while he's a Laker.
First day of training camp and a chance at a do-over for him with a new coach he (hopefully) respects. I’m not optimistic it’ll work out but I’m going to root for him to succeed.
Russ' defense is going to cap his upside. I'm not even that worried about his offense. But Russ has graded out among the worst perimeter defensive players in the league for several years. Even in his prime he was average at best. Obviously there are clips of him locking in on defense just like there are highlight reels of his offense last season, but over the course of a season he has always been super unreliable on that end.
What happened last season with Vogel? Did Vogel not ask Brick to play defense? So Brick would listen to Ham but not to Vogel or MDA? I see...ok.
Seriously, I really want to know what happened between Brick and Vogel last season? I mean I'm almost positive that Vogel demanded that everyone put in the effort defensively. What happened then?
^^ from what the players have said in their interviews since last season, I get the sense that Vogel not being an ex player hasn't communicated super well with the players. And the year we won the chip it seems guys like Dudz and Rondo were the bridge between coach and players.
Especially last season with frustrations mounting, perhaps Vogel demanded the players do certain things that he thought was best but the players were not on the same page?
I just want to see if Ham is really gonna make a difference, or its just all talk
What happened last season with Vogel? Did Vogel not ask Brick to play defense? So Brick would listen to Ham but not to Vogel or MDA? I see...ok.
Seriously, I really want to know what happened between Brick and Vogel last season? I mean I'm almost positive that Vogel demanded that everyone put in the effort defensively. What happened then?
What happened last season with Vogel? Did Vogel not ask Brick to play defense? So Brick would listen to Ham but not to Vogel or MDA? I see...ok.
Seriously, I really want to know what happened between Brick and Vogel last season? I mean I'm almost positive that Vogel demanded that everyone put in the effort defensively. What happened then?
Well….there is a possible easy explanation for it, but because it’s risky to say it, I’m holding my tongue.
Oh... _________________
"Through the legs to the left, through the legs to the right, we don't run them Laker plays, we just Kobe fadeaway..."
What happened last season with Vogel? Did Vogel not ask Brick to play defense? So Brick would listen to Ham but not to Vogel or MDA? I see...ok.
Seriously, I really want to know what happened between Brick and Vogel last season? I mean I'm almost positive that Vogel demanded that everyone put in the effort defensively. What happened then?
Well….there is a possible easy explanation for it, but because it’s risky to say it, I’m holding my tongue.
Oh...
Westbrook does not have the kind of personality that is going to responds to demands. Ham is going to learn the hard way.
It sounds like everything is contingent upon defense for Ham.
No surprise the Lakers stocked up on PGs so they can still trade Russ and not worry about having a void at that position. Until then, it will be awkward b/c we have 4 PG sized players and all will want to play. I can't imagine Dennis re-signing with the Lakers to not play, and Bev/Nunn will want their 25mpg at least too. Then we have Lonnie/Reaves who are more prototypical SG sized players, and having them play at "SF" isn't ideal for them either.
If Russ starts, ideally his minutes are down to 24-26mpg so he can go hard and focus on defense. We will have 96 minutes per night at guard for 6 guards, which on paper translate to 16mpg each, which of course won't happen. Maybe we steal a few minutes at small ball SF for Reaves, but this is not tenable long-term. Someone (or several players) will not be happy.
I'm actually going to try to be positive about Russ so long as he's on our team. I hope he can play tough D and be a great distributor (which he actually is). His #s will take a plummet this year but I hope he doesn't dwell on that. _________________ From 2-10 to the Western Conference Finals
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