Photo: Ethan Miller
Today on The Odd Couple, The Athletic/Lakers beat writer Jovan Buha joins Chris Broussard and VeeJay Huskey to discuss Russell Westbrook coming off the bench in their final preseason game. It’s been years since Russ came off the bench, and although Ham needs to have free range to try out different lineups, Buha believes Ham’s decision to bench Westbrook goes beyond just the final preseason game.
Jovan Buha: “I think the Lakers have just been reevaluating their options throughout the preseason with Russell Westbrook. They determined that it would be best if they stagger him and LeBron, and I think that’s going to be the plan moving forward...and I think, in my opinion, they are going to move on from (Russell Westbrook).
Chris Broussard: “This is the best the Lakers can do with Russell Westbrook, because at least with the second unit, he can be the star he’s been and play his game. He can’t do that with LeBron James and Anthony Davis with the first unit. Russ is just one of those guys who won’t be a role player. He’s got to be a main guy and on this team he can’t.”