Recently, the US media "Sports Illustrated" updated the new season's top 100 series. According to the explanation of "Sports Illustrated", this list of the top 100 people does not consider the past and future factors. Consider the immediate combat power of the new season. In the announced 50th to 31st place list, Westbrook appeared, ranking 34th. At the same level as Westbrook are 31st Simmons, 32nd Fox, 33rd Ingram , 35th Green , 36th Sabonis . Westbrook can only be ranked 36th? So are the Lakers considered the Big Three? To make a comparison, Westbrook was still ranked 25th during the offseason last year. After the ranking was released, many people questioned. They all felt that Westbrook was ranked lower. I didn't expect Westbrook to be seen in the top 30. Figure out.
This summer, Westbrook chose to join the Lakers. Judging from the long report by the famous Shabble on Westbrook joining the Lakers, Westbrook is actually quite pitiful. In the summer of 19, Westbrook wanted to leave the Thunder and return to Los Angeles. At that time Westbrook contacted Leonard. At that time Leonard never made his own decision. This attracted the Raptors, Clippers, and Lakers. The team is crazy for it. Leonard did not choose Westbrook in the end, and instead contacted Westbrook's teammate Paul George . Leonard and George hit it off and airborne the Clippers. Westbrook was frustrated at this time. Fortunately, his good brother Harden threw out the olive branch in time. The Rockets sent away and Paul and brought Westbrook to Houston. This year’s offseason, Bill has been spreading various trading rumors,At the same time, Westbrook told the Wizards that he was willing to stay in Washington, but if he could be sent to the Lakers, it would be better! At that time, the Lakers were ready to use , Harrell and Kuzma for Hilde. The Wizards quickly stepped in to the transaction. Westbrook was also appointed to the house by Lao Zhan and Davis. Eventually Westbrook got his wish.
In the past season, Westbrook averaged 22.2 points, +11.5 rebounds and +11.7 assists per game. In the last 5 seasons, the fourth time he averaged a triple-double per game, but to be honest, Shao has never been able to be recognized by the media. Previously, "HoopsHype" listed the top ten point guards in the new season, Curry ranked first, Lillard Irving ranked second and third, and Westbrook was in Holiday, Fox, Simmons, etc. After people, only ranked tenth. Among the five worst offseason trading operations selected by ESPN, the Lakers traded Westbrook ranked third. In other words, in the eyes of the outside world, Westbrook cannot help James and Davis at all. Westbrook has many advantages, full of impact, bursting energy, and a strong driving force for teammates, but the shortcomings are also obvious. There is no projection at all. It is for this reason that the Lakers will make drastic reforms in the new season.
In the past, the two guards of James’s team were shooting and defending. This was especially obvious during the Cavaliers 2.0. The Lakers won the championship season, Green and span also played Pop _span10 This role. But Westbrook does not have the ability to shoot, which makes the Lakers have to change their play style.When Westbrook joined the Lakers, Davis first confirmed that he was willing to play the 5th position in the new season, and Lao Zhan also said that he wanted to play the 4th position. Only in this way could he have two shooter positions beside the Big Three. The Lakers have introduced a lot of three-pointers this summer, Bazemore, Ellington, Munch, Nunn, who is next to the Big Three, it doesn’t matter, Vogel will definitely find one. The offensive and defensive balance point, but there is one thing to be sure, because Westbrook did not shoot, so Davis can only occupy the basket, James goes to the 4th position to make room. Of course, the Lakers will not always play like this next season, but because of Westbrook, Davis will definitely increase his time at the 5 position.
Since coming to Los Angeles, Westbrook hasn’t been idle and has been training with Lao Zhan every day. Recently, trainer Blakely posted a video of Westbrook's three-pointer training. In this video, Westbrook made all six consecutive three-pointers from the same position. At the same time, he also made a three-point shot. Training, all three shots also hit. According to US media analysis, Westbrook's three-point shooting method is slowly changing. First, the take-off height is significantly reduced, but the wrist power is very good, and the arc is higher after the ball is shot, which can also ensure a certain hit rate. Westbrook's career three-pointer percentage is only 30.5%, which is obviously unqualified, but he is working hard, he must know what it means to come to the Lakers, maybe he only has this season.
The Lakers' acquisition of Westbrook is a product of the league's general trend. The Nets have their own super big three. The Bucks won the championship last season and the Heat also formed the Big Three. The sun’s three giants are getting better and better, and Lao Zhan and Davis really need a helper by their side. Westbrook is like Harden of the Nets. He needs to work harder in the regular season to reduce the consumption of James and Davis to ensure the smooth transition of the team to the playoffs. At that time, it was James and David. The stage.The combination of the Big Three + veteran in the offseason of the Lakers has no future. Even Tucker , which has just been renewed, may become a victim of the Lakers' rush to the crown for a subsequent reinforcement transaction, that is, only one year.
Westbrook’s contract has 2 years left. Next season is $44.21 million. By 22-23 season, it will reach $47.06 million, which is higher than the salary of James and Davis. But this also means one thing: No matter whether the Lakers can win the championship next year, the Lakers want to make a breakthrough or change in the next step, they can only use Westbrook in the last year of the contract, because in addition to Westbrook, the basic salary player transaction value Not big, Zhan Mei's status is unshakable. Five years ago, Durant left the Thunder. He finally won the championship and the finals MVP. Compared with Durant, Westbrook has indeed struggled in his career in recent years. And now Westbrook has only one chance to win the championship trophy, and he has only one chance to beat Durant. In the past few years, he has always played an abandoned role, and now he finally has a chance to get revenge, the ending is destined to be cruel, because only one team can go to the end, just hope not to leave regrets.
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