Russell Westbrook seems to have turned it around with the fans as he helped the LA Lakers win their first game of the season.
It has not been the best of spells for Russell Westbrook at the Los Angeles Lakers. After securing a move to the storied franchise at the beginning of last season, Russ was seen as the last piece in the puzzle to help the Los Angeles Lakers win another Championship – but it all went wrong as an injury-riddled Westbrook could not help the Lakers qualify for the Playoffs.
Amidst plenty of criticism from fans and pundits alike, Westbrook was set to leave the Lakers when they signed back court competition for Russ in long term rival Patrick Beverley – but a lack of interested suitors meant Westbrook started the season with the Lakers. His fortunes did not seem to change as the Lakers got on to the worst start for decades in their storied history.
The Lakers lost all five of their opening games of the season, getting on to a disastrous 0-5 start. Even though it was a lack of collective effort that saw them lose the five games, Westbrook was singled out by both fans and pundits as the weakest link – but the former MVP seems to have finally turned the narrative in his favor with his latest performance against the Denver Nuggets.
Russ’ inspirational performance off the bench helped get him win the favor of the Lakers’ support back.
Westbrook came off the bench to turn the tides in the Lakers’ favor in their latest game against the Denver Nuggets, and scored 18 points, 8 rebounds and 8 assists as the Lakers won their first game of the season. Russ’ performance was not only enough to help the Lakers finally break their duck this season – but it was also enough for him to get the fans back on his side.
While the Lakers were trailing the Nuggets and looked set for a sixth consecutive defeat, Russ came on from the bench and put in an inspirational shift to help turn the tide in the Lakers’ favor. Russ’ efforts did not go unnoticed by the fans who cheered their heart out for him by the end of the third quarter – and were visibly jubilant when the Lakers secured a 121-110 win.
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