San Francisco – Russell Westbrook Los Angeles Lakers coach Darvin Hamm’s decision to take him off the bench in the preseason finale in Los Angeles may have caused the hamstring strain he suffered that night, he “absolutely” said. I believe.
“I’ve been doing the same thing for 14 years,” said Westbrook after the Lakers lost 123-109 to the Golden State Warriors in Tuesday night’s regular-season opener. “Honestly, I didn’t even know what to do before the game. is.”
Westbrook returned to the starting lineup against the Warriors after being restricted for several days due to a hamstring injury.
He played just five minutes in Friday’s exhibition loss against the Sacramento Kings. He hinted that he would have been able to play more because he “wasn’t going to risk it in the preseason games” but chose not to.
Westbrook scored 19 points on 7-of-12 shooting, 11 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal and 4 turnovers in 31 minutes against Golden State.His plus-minus rating of minus 6 was better than both ratings lebron james (-10) and Anthony Davis (-twenty one).
Hamm said he wanted Westbrook’s approach to the competition to sway his team from the first chip.
“We want to start the game the right way, in terms of energy and attacking mode. There is no one better than him,” Hamm told reporters before Westbrook followed the match. “I mean, that’s what we have and we injured some key men. It’s game one. It gives them a chance to fight at the highest level. I thought he was solid.” I thought he was solid, hopefully he could get some property back, but overall I thought he was solid.”
Before the contest, Ham said he wanted to “establish” a consistent starting unit.
“We don’t want to be one of those teams where the team swings depending on who the opponent starts,” he said.
But when asked if that meant sticking with the opening-night starter for some time to come, Hamm didn’t commit.
“Let’s see,” he said. “I’m a man of the days.”
After the game, Davis said Westbrook’s bench role against the Kings was just an experiment.
“I don’t think he ever went out [the starting group]’ said Davis. [at a different rotation] with a sack. “
It was the 22nd regular season game Davis, Westbrook and James played together since LA traded Westbrook in the summer of 2021. Tuesday’s loss dropped their record to 11-11. Still, Davis and James were encouraged.
“I think we played well,” Davis said. “We wanted to come out and everyone wanted to be aggressive. We didn’t want to. [you take it].’ … it took away our aggression. At certain moments during the game, one of the three of us her got aggressive and it worked and looked great. “
James adds:
TNT analyst Charles Barkley didn’t see it the same way.
“You know how I feel about Russell Westbrook,” Barkley said at halftime on the broadcast. It’s time to move him they took all his joy out of life and basketball..think about the mental exhaustion last year from this year..firstly the lakers are not competitors so I think we need a fresh start.”
Westbrook was asked about Barkley’s comments and whether he’s lost his joy in the game since joining the Lakers.
“You know, I’m very blessed, and I’m very dependent on my faith,” Westbrook said. I have good people supporting me at all times, and if I have God in my corner, it doesn’t matter what happens outside of it, I will stay alive.” , keep it locked up. That’s all I can ask.
“Everything else, I just keep doing what I’m doing, sticking to my craft, and figuring out everything else on my own.”
