Could Russell Westbrook win the Sixth Man of the Year award?
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The NBA season has gotten underway, and some teams and players are adjusting to the new season, team, and role. If you’re Russell Westbrook, your world is changing quite a bit. Westbrook went from being an All-Star, League MVP, and scoring and assists leader in multiple seasons to coming off the bench for the Lakers.
Last season for the Lakers was nothing short of disappointing, as they finished with a 33-49 record. The Lakers faced injuries, chemistry, and consistency problems as they could never go on a run. It was a disappointment to many, considering the expectations for this team.
With a new season comes new changes. In the Lakers’ case, it means a new head coach and almost an entirely newer, younger roster. It was evident that a lot of changes needed to be made. However, it’s safe to say that Darvin Ham, a former player of the Detroit Pistons 2004 championship team, and former assistant coach for the Milwaukee Bucks 2021 championship team, knows how to win.
The Lakers are currently (2-5) after their wins against the Denver Nuggets and New Orleans Pelicans. In that win against Denver, the Lakers shot the ball well, played with enthusiasm, and overall looked like a great basketball team. A big reason for that win was the spectacular play from Westbrook.
Westbrook had 18 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists, shooting 6-for-12 from the field (including 2-for-4 from three) and was perfect from the free throw line (4-for-4), with a plus-18 +/- rating. Westbrook is currently averaging 16 points, eight rebounds, and almost seven assists per game in the three games he has played coming off the bench.
Although it has only been two games, the energy shift and mentality of the team have changed for the better since coach Ham moved Westbrook to the sixth man spot. Having Westbrook come off the bench with the second unit will allow him more control of the offense and give him the ball in his hands more. When he is on the floor with LeBron and AD, he makes cuts to the basket, passes to open guys, and plays hard defense.
If Westbrook can embrace this new role, the Lakers can be very competitive in the league this season. Westbrook is a former MVP who, just two years ago, was averaging a triple-double and has averaged a triple-double in four seasons of his career. He is, without a doubt, the best player to be coming off the bench in the entire league, given his resume. It is very early in the season, but if he keeps up the good attitude and good play, a Sixth Man of the Year award would be very attainable for Westbrook.
It will be fascinating to see how the former MVP will embrace his role and prove that he will sacrifice whatever is needed to win like he says he will.