A year after joining the Lakers, Russell Westbrook discovers a new coach, and that may be what will allow him to stay in this squad. Darvin Ham assures that he sold a project with Westbrook, provided that the latter agrees to modify his way of playing.
We know that he asked him to dribble less on the spot, and the former MVP assures that he understood the message.
” It’s clearly different – if only in being able to open up the field, attack the spaces, take my time” , did he declare at the Orange County Register. ” Successful or not, the shots will come as the season drags on. But for now just getting into that rhythm and knowing that I can go anywhere and take shots in rhythm. »
Against Phoenix, we saw Russell Westbrook go into the corners, like a Danny Green, and he planted two of his four attempts. A way to bring danger and force the defense to move away from him.
“I know I’m a good shooter, and I have a lot of confidence in myself, and in my ability to shoot » he continues. ” I just keep working on my game, like I always have, and taking good shots. The quality of the shots is important. Making sure you don’t take bad shots is something I try to emphasize, as is the circle attack. »
More patience, more movement
Another notable difference: Darvin Ham asked him to play more without the ball, and not to be static when the ball leaves his hands. Same thing in defense.
” It’s easy for him when he has the ball. On the other hand, when he does not have the ball, we focus on his runs. You just have to be consistent with your runs and be engaged, be active… Whether it’s being directly involved in coverage on a pick-and-roll or you’re way off the ball defensively, and you have to be active with your hands, feet and be able to move. »
Finally, Russell Westbrook will have to lose fewer balls. All his coaches have tried to tame him, and the person concerned assures that he has gained patience.
” My speed sometimes boosts me and allows me to quickly get to a place he concludes. ” But my patience and understanding of game spacing and my spots are important to my effectiveness. To know how I can improve in finishing around the circle, taking shots without rushing. »
| Russell Westbrook | Percentage | Bounces | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Crew | GM | Minimum | Shots | 3 points | LF | Off | Def | Early | pd | party | Int | bp | CT | Points |
| 2008-09 | OKAY | 82 | 33 | 39.8 | 27.1 | 81.5 | 2.2 | 2.7 | 4.9 | 5.3 | 2.3 | 1.3 | 3.3 | 0.2 | 15.3 |
| 2009-10 | OKAY | 82 | 34 | 41.8 | 22.1 | 78.0 | 1.7 | 3.2 | 4.9 | 8.0 | 2.5 | 1.3 | 3.3 | 0.4 | 16.1 |
| 2010-11 | OKAY | 82 | 35 | 44.2 | 33.0 | 84.2 | 1.5 | 3.2 | 4.6 | 8.2 | 2.5 | 1.9 | 3.9 | 0.4 | 21.9 |
| 2011-12 | OKAY | 66 | 35 | 45.7 | 31.6 | 82.3 | 1.5 | 3.1 | 4.6 | 5.5 | 2.2 | 1.7 | 3.6 | 0.3 | 23.6 |
| 2012-13 | OKAY | 82 | 35 | 43.8 | 32.3 | 80.0 | 1.4 | 3.9 | 5.2 | 7.4 | 2.3 | 1.8 | 3.3 | 0.3 | 23.2 |
| 2013-14 | OKAY | 46 | 31 | 43.7 | 31.8 | 82.6 | 1.2 | 4.5 | 5.7 | 6.9 | 2.3 | 1.9 | 3.9 | 0.2 | 21.8 |
| 2014-15 | OKAY | 67 | 34 | 42.6 | 29.9 | 83.5 | 1.9 | 5.4 | 7.3 | 8.6 | 2.8 | 2.1 | 4.4 | 0.2 | 28.2 |
| 2015-16 | OKAY | 80 | 34 | 45.4 | 29.6 | 81.2 | 1.8 | 6.0 | 7.8 | 10.4 | 2.5 | 2.0 | 4.3 | 0.3 | 23.5 |
| 2016-17 ★ | OKAY | 81 | 35 | 42.5 | 34.3 | 84.5 | 1.7 | 9.0 | 10.7 | 10.4 | 2.4 | 1.6 | 5.4 | 0.4 | 31.6 |
| 2017-18 | OKAY | 80 | 36 | 44.9 | 29.8 | 73.7 | 1.9 | 8.2 | 10.1 | 10.3 | 2.5 | 1.8 | 4.8 | 0.3 | 25.4 |
| 2018-19 | OKAY | 73 | 36 | 42.8 | 29.0 | 65.6 | 1.5 | 9.6 | 11.1 | 10.7 | 3.4 | 2.0 | 4.5 | 0.5 | 23.0 |
| 2019-20 | HOO | 57 | 36 | 47.2 | 25.8 | 76.3 | 1.8 | 6.2 | 7.9 | 7.0 | 3.5 | 1.6 | 4.5 | 0.4 | 27.3 |
| 2020-21 | WAS | 65 | 36 | 43.9 | 31.5 | 65.6 | 1.7 | 9.9 | 11.5 | 11.7 | 2.9 | 1.4 | 4.8 | 0.4 | 22.2 |
| 2021-22 | ALL | 78 | 34 | 44.4 | 29.8 | 66.7 | 1.4 | 6.0 | 7.4 | 7.1 | 3.0 | 1.0 | 3.8 | 0.3 | 18.5 |
| 2022-23 | ALL | 1 | 31 | 58.3 | 33.3 | 80.0 | 1.0 | 10.0 | 11.0 | 3.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 4.0 | 0.0 | 19.0 |
| Total | 1022 | 35 | 43.8 | 30.5 | 78.3 | 1.7 | 5.7 | 7.4 | 8.4 | 2.6 | 1.7 | 4.1 | 0.3 | 22.8 | |
