Lakers news russell westbrook doesnt make excuses for recent ...

Russell Westbrook has reached a point where there are more negative things to say about his game than positives. And most of that is on him.

Russell Westbrook

© Gary A. Vasquez - USA TODAY Sports

San Antonio Spurs rookie Jeremy Sochan did what probably thousands of basketball fans do — associate Russell Westbrook's name with the term "brick." However, unlike most fans, the 19-year-old rookie was caught on video, which went around social media.

Sochan was then praised by anti-Westbrook truthers about his joke, but he also caught a ton of flack from Westbrook's fans in particular, to the point that the rookie had to clarify his choice of words on Twitter.

Whether people like it or not, Sochan associated "Brick" with Westbrook's name for a reason. And it now begs to ask the question: Has the perception of Westbrook changed in this generation? His career has certainly taken a massive hit after failing to thrive in what was supposed to be his best shot at winning a title. And it also seems like no team in the NBA has any interest in Westbrook if several first-round picks aren't attached to him. He went from being an all-time Hall of Famer to the most significant liability in the league.

Does Westbrook deserve all the slander?

The problem with the Russell Westbrook narrative is he attracts criticism to himself. Sure, he's still capable of putting up triple-doubles, but that doesn't excuse his inability to improve his jump shot (especially in this era) and unwillingness to take accountability for his poor play. It's okay to praise Wesbrook's durability and fighting spirit on the court, but at the same time, that doesn't dismiss the notion that he's not a winning player.

History has shown over time that Westbrook can put up the most impeccable numbers, but it doesn't lead to anything close to a championship. It's also important to point out that there are numbers to prove why he continues to be a liability to his team. Westbrook led the league in missed layups, was the worst qualified 3-point shooter, and ranked 2nd last season in turnovers. People calling this out doesn't necessarily mean it's slander because it's facts over feelings (shoutout to Darvin Ham for this new phrase).

To make things worst, it doesn't help that Westbrook barely takes accountability for his actions. For example, in his exit interview with the Lakers last April, he not only threw Frank Vogel under the bus (and got him fired) but also LeBron James and Anthony Davis — two players who welcomed him with open arms in Los Angeles. Below is one of the many clips of Westbrook last season going at it with the media just because he didn't want to own up for his actions:

It's time to accept who Westbrook is

Westbrook has reached a point where there are more negative things to say about his game than positives. And maybe it's time to accept that's how it is.

It's okay to acknowledge Westbrook as the best triple-double king in NBA history but at the same time say his game doesn't translate to winning basketball. It's okay to remember how Westbrook was arguably the most athletic point guard in NBA history in his prime while at the same time attest that he does brick layups, misses jumpers, and plays poor defense. It's fine to say that Westbrook has every right to accept his 5 years $206,794,070 contract and, at the same time, say that he doesn't live up to his contract's value.

Ultimately, this is just who Westbrook is, and people need to understand that he's not going to change — for good or for the bad. This has and will always be the story of his career. 

Russell Westbrook couldn’t figure out a way to consistently mesh with his new teammates, Anthony Davis couldn’t stay healthy and a 37-year-old LeBron James couldn’t carry a team all by himself.

The Los Angeles Lakers made no secret they were a team built to win a championship this season. Instead, they won’t even make the playoffs.

In a development that few would have seen coming six months ago, the Lakers were eliminated from the playoff race on Tuesday night after a 121-110 loss to the Phoenix Suns. Westbrook scored 28 points, Davis added 21 and James watched from the bench, nursing a sore ankle that kept him out for a second straight game. The Lakers fell to 31-48, 11th place in the Western Conference, and can no longer crack the top 10 to earn a spot in the play-in tournament.

“It is nothing more than we just didn’t get it done,” Lakers forward Carmelo Anthony said. “We can’t make excuses; we just didn’t get it done.”

Health was a constant issue this season for the Lakers, who rarely had Westbrook, Davis and James on the floor at the same time. Davis has only been available for about half the season, missing time with knee and foot ailments.

“We had the pieces but injuries got into the way of that,” Davis said. “That was the difference in our season.”

The Lakers and the James-Davis-Westbrook trio could make another run together next season, though it’s unclear if they’ll want to give it another shot. Davis and James are under contract while Westbrook seems likely to exercise his $47m player option.

“That is the plan, but nothing is promised,” said Westbrook, who took a big chunk of criticism aimed at the team. “You’ve kind of got to take one day at a time and you’ve got to pay the cards you are dealt.”

Even a month ago, it seemed the Lakers had time to figure out a way to regroup, get healthy and make a run in this year’s playoffs. James looked 10 years younger at times with his scoring production, averaging 30.3 points for his highest average since 2008.

“I think the world would love to see, we would love to see what this team could could be if we were healthy for a full 82,” Davis said.

Westbrook played hard on Tuesday night, plowing through the Suns’ defense over and over in a desperate attempt to make something positive happen. There were a few big buckets but also a few big turnovers. The inconsistency was all too familiar.

Lakers coach Frank Vogel said he was “extremely disappointed” that the season will end short of the postseason. The Lakers have lost seven straight games and now must play three more with no playoffs on the horizon.

Vogel led the Lakers to a championship in 2020 when the playoffs were played in the Florida bubble. Now his job security appears tenuous at best.

“I can say it has not been due to lack of effort,” the coach said. “We have all put in the work. Our guys stayed fighting right till the end. We brought integrity to the process. We just fell short though a disjointed season.”