The Los Angeles Lakers despatched Russell Westbrook to the Utah Jazz earlier this month forward of the NBA Commerce Deadline.
A number of days later, the Jazz waived Westbrook and he instantly signed with the Los Angeles Clippers. It didn’t take him lengthy to take a little bit jab at his outdated crew throughout a session with the media.
It’s clear that Westbrook blames the Lakers for the way dangerous the previous season and a half has been for him.
However do the Lakers really feel the identical means?
In a dialog with Dave McMenamin of ESPN, Lakers crew president Rob Pelinka provided his ideas on how a lot blame Westbrook deserved for his squad’s struggles over the previous 12 months and alter.
“Our aspirations after we did the Westbrook commerce was it could result in a championship, a contending crew,” Pelinka mentioned.
“We didn’t meet that aim. So it’s a must to then look to pivot if one thing isn’t working to right it. I believe this commerce deadline, there was a possibility there.
“I believe it’s actually unfair to place the final 12 months and a half, or no matter time period that’s, on one participant. I believe the entire roster has to come back collectively and match. And a part of sports activities generally is that if issues aren’t working, it’s a must to repair them.”
Primarily based on Anthony Davis’ current feedback about Westbrook signing with the Clippers and LeBron James’ farewell message to him, it appears apparent that there was some dangerous blood there.
However apparently that doesn’t prolong to Pelinka.
Devin Booker isn’t taking the Kendall Jenner and Dangerous Bunny state of affairs effectively. https://t.co/RQOTfdnFho
— Recreation 7 (@game7__) February 23, 2023
The subsequent few months promise to be fascinating. If the Lakers bounce again robust sans Westbrook and make a official playoff push, clearly Westbrook will likely be considered as the issue.
Ought to Westbrook thrive with the Clippers and Lakers proceed to falter, then the latter crew would be the one with egg on its face.
A technique or one other, loads of questions concerning the Lakers, Clippers and Westbrook will likely be answered over the ultimate 23 video games of the 2022-23 NBA season.
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