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Russell Westbrook has undoubtedly been a polarizing determine throughout his first 12 months with the Los Angeles Lakers and all through his illustrious profession. Some consider that his turnovers and poor shot choice are the foundation reason behind most of the staff’s points whereas some say that he’s really performed higher than anticipated.
Statistically, the turnovers completely have been a difficulty, although. He leads the Lakers in turnovers per recreation — with a 1.5 turnover hole between him and LeBron James — and is second in the complete NBA in that class. Solely James Harden has coughed up extra possessions than Westbrook.
Even nonetheless, Frank Vogel and James aren’t turning their again on the Lakers star guard. However James acknowledged that the turnovers want to come back down following a 9-turnover evening towards the Minnesota Timberwolves.
“Simply his presence, clearly. His presence on the ground helps us. Clearly he was kicking himself rather a lot tonight together with his turnovers, particularly within the first half. He cleaned it up within the second half, he solely had two within the second half, and it resulted in us with the ability to get pictures.
“After we get pictures, we’re a very good staff. What’s actually harm us this 12 months is once we flip the ball over rather a lot and we’re not in a position to set our protection the place we’re actually good within the half-court,” James mentioned. “Groups run on us so us with the ability to deal with the ball within the second half was key for us getting this win tonight. The ball is in his fingers rather a lot, the ball is in my fingers rather a lot so it begins with us two simply with the ability to deal with the ball and we did that.”
Vogel additionally got here to Westbrook’s protection to say that the turnovers are already beginning to lower, even with some dangerous performances combined in.
“I believe he’s gotten higher,” Vogel mentioned. “I believe we’ve seen that over the course of the final three, 4, 5 weeks. Had a troublesome evening tonight however he’s bettering and we’re evolving offensively. I believe guys are in several spots and a few of that’s the items transferring round him, not simply him.”
Westbrook’s excessive common turnovers might be largely attributed to the primary month of the season. Throughout the staff’s first 14 video games, Westbrook averaged 5.5 turnovers per recreation whereas that quantity is right down to 4.4 per recreation since. Whereas getting under 4 turnovers per recreation can be good, enchancment is certainly taking place.
The Lakers are twenty eighth in turnovers per recreation as a staff, exhibiting that it goes past simply Westbrook. Everybody on the roster must do a greater job taking good care of the ball. In contrast to the Golden State Warriors, who rank twenty ninth in the identical class, they don’t seem to be at a spot the place they will win constantly regardless of their errors.
Maybe they’ll get to that time with higher well being and extra time collectively on the court docket, however they will’t depend on it. reducing turnovers is among the high priorities for the Lakers to see vital enchancment earlier than the postseason.
Westbrook addresses turnovers
Westbrook was requested about his turnovers, and in a response that went viral, the Lakers guard basically shut down the concept turnovers are ruining his impression.
“I disagree with the purpose that the sport wasn’t going my manner,” Westbrook mentioned. “My recreation is just not predicated on pictures or if I flip the ball over. If I miss some pictures, that’s a part of the sport. I’m allowed to overlook pictures. I can try this. Like some other participant, I can try this.
“I can flip the ball over too. I can try this, that’s all part of the sport. However whenever you watch a basketball recreation and determine what impression is, making the best performs, boxing out, rebounding, no matter which may be, making the best play, making the best reads. That’s all about being a basketball participant.”
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