Russell Westbrook recently received some much-needed guidance from Shaquille O’Neal. The NBA megastar had a sit down with the Oklahoma City Thunder guard and revealed what it was like to be on his team back in 2006.
Russell Westbrook recently received some much-needed guidance from Shaquille O’Neal. The two NBA legends decided to play a game of 1-on-1 in Los Angeles, and the result was quite surprising. The Oklahoma City Thunder star lost to the Miami Heat legend by 15 points, but he did not seem too upset about it. Read more in detail here: how tall is shaquille o’neal.
The Russell Westbrook is a basketball player who plays for the Oklahoma era of basketball for the Los Angeles Lakers is unlikely to have a Hollywood conclusion.
When most Lakers fans are asked why their team is just 25-27, Westbrook will be one of the first names mentioned. The nine-time All-Star has had a rough career with the Purple and Gold, with his one constant feature being on-court availability.
To his credit, Russ has been playing well in his past few games. Or at the very least, better than he was. One plausible explanation derives from a chat the former MVP had with Shaquille O’Neal, the famed big man and Laker icon.
Russell Westbrook is a basketball player who plays for the Oklahoma has improved over the previous several games.
The victory against the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday exemplified Westbrook’s worst qualities. In LA’s 99-94 triumph, the 33-year-old shot 3-of-12 from the field and scored nine points.
While such performance would have been expected a month ago, it was a significant shift from Brodie’s most recent incarnation.
Westbrook’s shooting has improved dramatically since he was benched in the fourth quarter of LA’s defeat to the Indiana Pacers on Jan. 19. In five consecutive games, the two-time scoring champion scored 50.0 percent or higher, including a season-high 35-point explosion against the Charlotte Hornets. Russ also scored 20 points or more four times, with the exception of the game in which he was flanked by LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
Russ’ three-point shooting has also improved significantly. Westbrook hit two or more triples in three consecutive games after hitting one or less in 11 of his previous 12 games, before going 1-of-4 on Wednesday.
Westbrook has turned a corner thanks to a chat with Shaquille O’Neal.
Russell Westbrook is a basketball player who plays for the Oklahoma claims that Shaq’s guidance on altering speeds was sound and has proven to be quite beneficial.
— Trevor Lane (@Trevor_Lane) February 1, 2022
Shaq has become a role model for many of the league’s big guys. However, the Hall of Famer is also eager to assist 6-foot-3 point guards.
Last week on Inside the NBA, O’Neal discussed a courtside chat he had with Westbrook ahead of LA’s game against the Orlando Magic. It was the Lakers’ first outing since Westbrook was infamously benched by head coach Frank Vogel.
“Russ is one of my favorite people. Russ is important to me. Shaq added, “He’s done a lot for the game, but when you’re that level player and you’re not playing good, people take shots.” “It irritates me when people attack my friend Russ like that. So I’m watching him, studying him, and I’ve finally figured out what’s wrong with him. He’s driving 1,000 miles per hour because he’s so determined to succeed. ‘Slow down, my buddy,’ I murmured. ‘Just take your time,’ she says.
A week later, Westbrook was asked about the details of his conversation with O’Neal (h/t: Silver Screen & Roll).
“It was simply a conversation about various speeds and whatnot.” When someone like Shaq sees and watches the game, I always make a point of listening to my elders and those who came before me. Shaq was giving me some excellent advise about changing speeds at various times going up the floor, which was incredibly beneficial not just in that game but as I see myself progressing and trying to keep doing it for the remainder of the year.”
Russell Westbrook is a basketball player who plays for the Oklahoma
The suggestion paid off right away. Westbrook scored 18 points on 8-of-17 shooting with 11 rebounds, seven assists, and just three turnovers versus Orlando on that night.
The Lakers are suddenly in the midst of a trade deadline conundrum.
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A month ago, the Lakers would have happily sent Westbrook away and admitted the whole experiment had been a complete failure. His stock, on the other hand, was at an all-time low, making a deal with him — and his $44 million cap charge — very implausible.
Westbrook has made significant gains after being benched and getting counsel from Shaq, which can only benefit the Lakers in the future. However, the better Russ performs, the more clubs will be prepared to consider a deal with LA.
The Lakers may still try to move Westbrook before the trade deadline, which is less than a week away. However, doing so runs the danger of obtaining a cargo that won’t help the squad much, if at all. However, if Russ stays there, he risks reverting to his old ways, like he did on Wednesday when he shot 3-of-12.
In an ideal world, James and Davis would join Westbrook in becoming the big three that Pelinka envisioned. However, with just Russ remaining fit, LA may need all of the star power it can muster when LeBron and/or AD are forced to miss time. Because, as much as Westbrook has disappointed Laker fans, Kemba Walker and Alec Burks aren’t exactly an improvement.
The best-case situation is to trade Russ for a real improvement. However, trading him for no reason is not a viable option. Only a few days remain for Pelinka and the Lakers to set the tone for the rest of a tumultuous season.
Basketball Reference provided all statistics, while Spotrac provided contract data.
RELATED: NBA Trade Deadline: Knicks Could Take Russell Westbrook is a basketball player who plays for the Oklahoma’s $44.2 Contract Off the Lakers’ Hands
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