Russell Westbrook has been playing for the Oklahoma City Thunder in a small market, but could it be worth it if he makes an unexpected trade? Organizations like Bobcats and Grizzlies have shown that going to bigger markets can actually hurt your team’s success.
Russell Westbrook is living proof that playing in a big market isn’t always worth it. He has only won one NBA title, and his team hasn’t made the playoffs since 2010. He’s currently the best player on a team with the worst record in the league. Read more in detail here: russell westbrook news.
Russell Westbrook may desire a do-over more than any other player in the NBA.
Westbrook, who was acquired in a trade from the Washington Wizards last season, has not lived up to expectations as the All-Star LA anticipated. The 2016-17 MVP has been unable to repeat his previous performance, and as a consequence, the Lakers have fallen from a probable championship challenger to a playoff competitor.
But what if that statement isn’t totally accurate?
While Westbrook has underperformed, his statistics are more similar to those of his previous 13 seasons than you may think. Only the expectations have shifted, demonstrating that playing for a well-known club in a major city isn’t always the greatest position.
Russell Westbrook discusses his and his family’s treatment by Lakers fans.
Westbrook’s greeting from Lakers fans has gone from warm to nasty in a matter of days. With 18.1 points per game for the 28-36 Lakers, the guard has become the face of the team’s difficulties.
Los Angeles was defeated 117-110 by the San Antonio Spurs on Monday night, with LeBron James sitting out due to knee pain. Westbrook, who finished 1-of-6 in the fourth quarter, spoke about his and his family’s experiences in Hollywood over the previous several months.
“Right now, [my wife Nina] and my family have reached a point where it’s really weighing on them,” Westbrook said in an interview with The Athletic. “And it’s really bad for me since this is only a game.” This is only a game, after all. This isn’t the be-all and end-all.”
“It’s gotten to the point where my family refuses to attend home games.”
Nina Westbrook spat with FS1’s Skip Bayless last week over his insults of her husband. For the poor-shooting point guard, he and other fans have developed the moniker “Westbrick.”
In response to the nickname, Westbrook remarked, “It’s embarrassing my name, my legacy for my kids.” “It’s a name with a meaning” (something). Not only to myself, but to my wife, my mother, and my father, the people who helped pave the road for me.”
Westbrook is demonstrating how difficult it may be to compete in a large market.
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Last summer, the Lakers envisioned Westbrook collaborating alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis for a strong season and postseason run. It’s now time to move away from the slandered celebrity.
Since the beginning, Westbrook’s fit with his hometown club has been odd. This season, though, has brought home a hard reality: playing for a big-market club with great expectations isn’t always all it’s made up to be.
Westbrook is averaging 18.1 points per game in 2021-22, which is his lowest average since his second professional season. In addition, the former UCLA Bruin is shooting 43.3 percent from the field and 28.2 percent from three-point range, while committing 4.0 turnovers a game.
While those stats aren’t quite MVP-level, they are comparable to some of Russ’ finest seasons with the small-market Oklahoma City Thunder.
Westbrook shot 42.8 percent from the field in his last season with OKC in 2018-19. That’s a greater percentage than the 42.5 percent he shot in 2016-17, when he was named league MVP. He also made 29.0 percent of his three-point tries, although it took him two more attempts than with the Lakers. In addition, he had a 4.5 turnover per game average.
Westbrook has had five seasons with a lower field-goal %, three seasons with a lower three-point percentage, and seven seasons with a higher turnover rate than this one. Many of the weaknesses that afflict him today are the same traits that Thunder fans were willing to overlook.
The fact is that the Purple and Gold Westbrook isn’t all that different from the nine-time All-Star Westbrook. It was just simpler to hide his flaws when playing for a small-market club with a devoted fan base. Everything Russ does wrong now is magnified tenfold since he’s playing alongside LeBron James and the mega-popular Los Angeles Lakers.
Are there any aspects of Westbrook’s game that might be improved? Absolutely. But, for better or worse, the Lakers and their supporters should accept that this was always going to be Russ.
The Russell Westbrook-Lakers experience may teach other small-market stars a thing or two.
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We’re taught as NBA fans that huge talents ultimately make their way to major markets. If they can’t get out of New Orleans, they’ll have to push their way to Los Angeles. It’s preferable to demand a relocation to New York City if they’re in Portland.
However, the grass isn’t always greener on the other side. While the lifestyle and sponsorship chances are appealing, players must be aware that failure in a major city may permanently damage one’s image.
Oklahoma City was led by Westbrook, who was born in Los Angeles. He’s now a $44.2 million liability that no club wants to touch with a 10-foot pole, three years after his last game with the organization.
Damian Lillard, Bradley Beal, Zion Williamson, and Karl-Anthony Towns are a few small-market All-Stars who might potentially relocate to a bigger metropolis in the future. However, as Westbrook has shown, this isn’t always the greatest option. Can you see Williamson’s present scenario with the Pelicans playing out with the Knicks instead?
It’s sometimes worthwhile to remain in an area where there’s less pressure and expectations. You will not be booed if you miss 10 shots in a row. Your family will not be tormented if you have eight turnovers. And if you win, you’ll be immortalized in that city for the rest of your life, as Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks has just demonstrated.
Naturally, gamers will gravitate toward large markets and renowned brands. They should, however, be prepared to manage all of the responsibilities that come with it.
Basketball Reference provided all statistics.
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