Golden State Warriors’ Draymond Green has put his weight behind LA Lakers’ Russell Westbrook. The 33-year old Westbrook has been under scrutiny for his mundane performances for the Lakers and Green finds it difficult to understand why Russell is always made the scapegoat for the team’s poor show.
Lakers have struggled to get going in the ongoing season as they have a 24-24 record and they are currently placed in the eighth position in the Western Conference standings. The team has failed to come up with a collective effort in the ongoing season, which has led to their downfall.
Westbrook had earlier come under the scanner for conceding turnovers and then was criticized by the experts for his shooting. The Lakers star has been averaging 18.6 points per game this season, while shooting 43.7% from the field and only 29.6% from the three-point line.
Draymond Green said on his YouTube Channel, The Volume, “I don’t like how Russell Westbrook gets all of the blame for everything going wrong. It’s just not possible that one guy is to blame for everything going wrong.”
In fact, there have been talks regarding the Lakers trading Russell Westbrook but Green feels the team should stick with him.
“Obviously there are a lot of Russell Westbrook trade talks … the reality is, I’m not sure Russell Westbrook gets traded … Nor do I think it really should happen. You haven’t really had the opportunity to see that team healthy and how they could grow together healthy.”
Westbrook was signed by the Lakers so that he can support LeBron James and Anthony Davis but he hasn’t been able to justify his role.
Steven A. Smith also backed Russell Westbrook to come back stronger.
Smith said on ESPN, “I believe in Russell Westbrook, I just think he needs to accept the fact that he can’t really shoot. Attack the basket with vigour. They can’t stop you. Make them deal with you! Don’t capitulate to what they say you can’t do and try and prove em wrong.”
The Lakers will next face the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday.
