NBA: Westbrook's SoCal Homecoming Is Welcome Kickoff To New Wave of Transactions
Lakers form new Big 3 as talent race takes over the Association
Tinseltown just got a little shinier as the Lakers brought Russell Westbrook home to pair with LeBron James and Anthony Davis to create one of the best “Big Three” cores in the NBA.
Westbrook’s homecoming doesn’t just provide the Lakers with the opportunity to get back to championship glory, it also highlights the reality of the franchise: The King’s running out of prime years, and he has to trust in other superstars (not the average stars) to continue winning.
James has lived up to his “The Chosen One” moniker throughout his career by not just bringing a championship to his home state, but also impacting the league in ways that many players will benefit from for years to come. Playing 18 seasons in the league is a testament to how James has stretched the laws of longevity in professional sports. However, Father Time does come at some point, and it’s slowly but surely creeping up on the 36-year-old. As he prepares to chase another Finals appearance and championship number five, James needs another superstar lifeline to help achieve his goal.
Making a move to get a third superstar is a familiar concept James has applied over his career. In all of his titles (except for his most recent one in the 2019-20 season), he has won with a “Big Three” blueprint. From his Miami days with two Hall of Fame players in Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh to his time in Cleveland next to two future Hall of Famers in Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love, success came with the helping hands of multiple top-tier talents that assisted in getting him over the hump.
Grabbing a still-hungry and tenacious vet like Westbrook can be the potential missing piece that can get him back in the championship column, as long as the Lakers front office continues to provide James with the necessary pieces to win.
Westbrook, the former UCLA star and triple-double king has what it takes to be a top-three option on a winning team, especially playing with The King. James can continue to have the offense ran through him, but having a playmaker like Westbrook will unburden James from having to consistently create for others. Not to mention the headache opponents will have defending James and Davis in pick-and-rolls situations with Westbrook lurking nearby.
Also not to be overlooked is both Westbrook reputation for being good teammate and his willingness to play second fiddle while still impacting the game. During his time in Houston, he averaged 27 points, seven assists and eight rebounds next to James Harden. Last season he averaged 22 points, 11 assists and 12 rebounds as Bradley Beal’s right-hand man in Washington. He may not be the best shooter, but his aggressive play and ability to score while also creating for others are all components that James had on all of his championship teams before James got to Los Angeles.
Defensively, Westbrook’s intensity and ability to dominate the perimeter is something the Lakers lacked last season. He is averaging two steals per game for his career, with recent averages of two steals per game with the Rockets and one steal with the Wizards. His offensive skills, defensive intensity, motor, and durability will all be positive affects for James and Laker nation, especially with Davis has continued to be nagged by injuries.
In order for the Lakers to win a championship this season, many factors have to take place. One of the most important factors is Davis’ health. Next is overcoming the perpetually loaded Western Conference and the likes of the Phoenix Suns, Utah Jazz, Denver Nuggets, Portland Trailblazers (barring Damian Lillard stays), and the Golden State Warriors, who figure to vie for a playoff—not play-in—spot with Klay Thompson back in the fold.
They’d then need to overcome the filthily talent-rich Brooklyn Nets (and James and Westbrook’s former running mates Irving, Harden, and Kevin Durant) or reigning champion Milwaukee to ultimately capture the franchise’s 18th title.
The Broadie is not the answer to all of the Lakers problems, including the team’s shooting woes, but he can make shots when necessary or distribute the ball effectively to put points on the board.
Westbrook’s hunger and determination to win his first championship will be big for the Lakers. The possibility of winning in his hometown next to The King would be a homecoming for the ages, if the stars align.