After the Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Golden State Warriors on Thursday night, Anthony Davis, the team’s superstar, made a seemingly critical remark directed at Russell Westbrook.
The Lakers were in firm control of the game for most of the second half, winning by a score of 124-111. Despite this, what made the win even more intriguing was that Davis and LeBron James did not play their typical dominant roles in the game, scoring only a total of 25 points.
After the game, Davis noted that winning is enjoyable, particularly when it doesn’t require exerting excessive effort in the final moments of the game. He stated that the team is aware of their current situation and cannot afford to be upset or create internal conflicts. Instead, they focus on winning basketball games and having fun. Davis added that playing the game the right way, including playing good defense and making smart offensive plays, results in victories. Winning basketball games is always a satisfying experience, and it is something that they can relish and enjoy.
Several individuals interpreted the remark as a criticism directed at ex-Lakers guard Russell Westbrook, who had a tumultuous tenure in LA before being traded to the Utah Jazz just before the trade deadline. A video clip of Westbrook advising the Lakers to “have fun” irrespective of the outcome became popular earlier in the season. In the clip, Westbrook encouraged his teammates to stay happy and positive, regardless of whether they won, lost, or tied. James reacted with an intriguing expression.
In Lakers Locker Room, Westbrook Was ‘Vampire’
Before the break, the atmosphere in the Lakers locker room was tense due to a series of losses. Russell Westbrook, who was earning over $46 million, seemed to have contributed significantly to the situation. According to Dave McMenamin, an ESPN reporter, one insider mentioned that Westbrook was like a vampire who drained the energy from the locker room. With Westbrook’s departure, the source believed that the Lakers would become more cohesive.
The Lakers made some changes to their roster by trading for Rui Hacimura, Malik Beasley, D’Angelo Russell, Jared Vanderbilt, Mo Bamba, and Davon Reed. Davis acknowledges that it will take some time for the new-look team to reach its full potential.
Nevertheless, the Lakers have won their two recent games with the new roster by an average of over 20 points, even though they are still adjusting on the fly. Davis believes that the team now has a well-rounded group of players that can make a strong push toward success.
Anthony Davis Is Uncertain About Westbrook’s Fit With The Clippers
After the trade, Westbrook was quickly released by the Jazz and subsequently signed with the Clippers. Earlier in the week, Davis did not seem eager to discuss how Westbrook will fit in with their Crypto.com rivals.
He mentioned that the Clippers had gotten rid of John Wall and Reggie Jackson, so Westbrook is another point guard option for them. Davis was unsure how the Clipper’s coaching staff would utilize him, but he thought that Westbrook would be happy to stay in LA.
When introduced by the Clippers, Westbrook made a comment that appeared to be directed toward the Lakers. He stated that feeling “wanted” was a significant factor in his decision to sign with the Clippers, and he valued having teammates and people who wanted him there. The next time the Clippers and Lakers will play against each other is on April 5th.