The headline move to start the offseason was the Lakers’ acquiring Russell Westbrook. He’s held in negative regard for the most part due to his insufficient efficiency numbers and notoriety for stat padding, but in reality, he’s one of the best all-around players in the NBA. His motor, physical gifts, and intellect come together to make him one of the best players in the past decade.
In a sense, Westbrook is similar to LeBron. He’s a ball-dominant creator who can make every pass in the book and finish through contact. His playmaking is his best trait, and he can access these creation opportunities through relentless pace and power in his drives. He’s going to be able to keep the Lakers’ offense afloat when LeBron is off the court.
But the issue with Westbrook is his lack of catch-and-shoot ability. He shot 34.8% on these looks, and teams will gladly leave him open. That brings into question his effectiveness playing with LeBron James, who thrives next to shooting.
Westbrook has been the most talented addition to the Lakers since Anthony Davis, but will it work?
What does Westbrook bring?
Westbrook’s playmaking is the best part of his game. Teams have to bring help and put two on the ball when he gets downhill or into his post-ups. From there, he can make the right reads and find open teammates. He’s excellent at anticipating where pressure is coming from and can make passes before they are even available. Having another guy on the floor next to LeBron who can get defenses in rotation is valuable. It allows LeBron to be the guy who makes the extra pass.
At times last year, the Lakers’ offense lacked any urgency and pace. LeBron and AD are more methodical players. They take their time setting up moves with a size up and jabs that sometimes lead to long jumpers. Their natural style makes them a slow offensive team in the halfcourt. The team had a habit of slowly swinging the ball around without any reason. Eventually, it gets back to LeBron, who has to work against the shot clock.
Part of the issue is they didn’t have another player who could get into the teeth of the defense and make a play. Westbrook can drive and bend the defense with force and the ability to finish on his own or pass the ball. In their championship year, they had Rondo, who was a slower player, but he could get into the lane. Losing him made the offense a lot worse.
Westbrook is going to get the Lakers easier looks throughout the game. He pushes the ball at an insane speed and is going to eat some of the possessions that would’ve ended up in standstill isolation. With someone else pushing the pace, LeBron can run the wing and finish or make a play. Their offense will have more tempo, which will get them cleaner looks in rhythm.
One of the underrated parts of Westbrook’s drives is the offensive rebounding chances it’ll bring. When Westbrook was on the Thunder, they were always a tremendous offensive rebounding team. They would finish around the top ten in offensive boards every year. His drives scramble the defense and allow the big to come behind and clean up messes. Steven Adams was the recipient of Westbrook’s missed layups. Anthony Davis, Dwight Howard, and whatever other physically imposing big they bring will get a lot of putbacks.
Westbrook’s speed will give another offensive layer to the Lakers where they can beat you slowly and methodically through Davis and LeBron, but they also can push it transition and play fast. They also can keep that physical identity through tough drives and crashing the boards. The more physical teams always thrive in the playoffs. Look at the Bucks this year who’s physicality bogged down the Suns to the point where their offense devolved into isolations working against the clock. Throughout a series, it’s exhausting to keep up with teams that hit the boards, push the ball, and put tons of rim pressure on the defense.
Defense
Westbrook does have lapses on the defensive end off-ball. His motor will sometimes waver after he gets hit by a screen or if he doesn’t respect his matchup. It’s understandable, though, because of the energy he exerts on offense at his past stops. However, after LeBron and AD, he’s going to have less work on offense and will be able to focus more defensively. When he’s locked in, he’s one of the best on-ball defenders in the league.
Elite guards have a hard time getting by him because of his length, quickness, and strength. He’s a more energetic, athletic Jrue Holiday when he wants to be although not as technically sound. The Lakers have had a weakness in the past where they have issues guarding quick guards like Damian Lillard. Westbrook can handle that matchup.
Westbrook gets a ton of deflections because of his activity and ability to read plays. In addition, he and LeBron both have a high level of feel on defense.
Off the ball, he knows where to be positionally and has the frame to body up taller players. When he’s switched onto bigs, he can fight for positioning and steal entry passes. For Westbrook, it’s a matter of focus, and the Lakers already have a solid defensive identity and system of accountability under Frank Vogel.
Spacing Concerns
Because Westbrook is a poor catch-and-shoot threat, teams will try to help off him at the nail and close off driving lanes for LeBron. Teams tried the same strategy in Houston when James Harden had the ball, but all he needed to do was catch on the move and get downhill. Since the defense rotated to contain Harden, Westbrook was able to get to the rim. It’s not a viable strategy because of how out of position the defense is. The Lakers also have lob threats that can cut to the paint when Westbrook drives.
Westbrook is a rhythm player. He’s better when he sizes up defenders and can pull up from the midrange. When he gets rolling, he can hit some tough shots. He might be a better shooter in a situation where he can attack off the catch, and then when he finds his groove, he can get into his midrange game. He does have the touch to hit those. It’s a matter of staying under control.
Still, spacing will be an issue. There are ways to make up for it, like moving into space and attacking off the catch, but it will bog down the offense a bit. Westbrook will have to capitalize on those attacks to keep the defense honest.
Since the Westbrook deal, the Lakers have brought in other veterans who can help with the shooting concerns. While proper spacing on the court makes it harder for the defense to rotate, with the amount of rim pressure the Lakers can generate with Westbrook, LeBron, and AD, they’ll more than likely be fine.
Are they a better team than before?
This iteration with the Lakers with the signings they made so far might be the most talented group the Lakers had. Westbrook is going to help their offense a ton by attacking the rim in the halfcourt and in transition. He also is a multi-faceted offensive player where he also can make elite level passes. Defensively, he fits right in as an athletic and strong defender who knows how to position himself.
The Lakers also brought in some real shooting in Malik Monk, Carmelo Anthony, Wayne Ellington, and Trevor Ariza to offset Westbrook’s lack of shooting. The only concern is that they are a lot older. The Lakers are going all in for this year.
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