The Los Angeles Lakers are off to a rough start despite their championship aspirations. Can they bounce back and contend for another championship? Lida Li reports.
Russell Westbrook was the biggest signing of the Lakers this summer, but so far, the team has been struggling. Is Westbrook to be blamed?
Bryan Carrington (USC football, offensive quality control analyst): “I wouldn’t say he’s the problem. I just say they have to find a role for him because I know he can be selfish with the basketball and that might not be copacetic for LeBron and AD.”
Kyle Siemer (USC director of athletic compliance): “No, I think it’s probably a little early to put the blame entirely on him. But I think he’s too good of a player to let them fail; there’s too much talent on that team for them to be one of the worst teams in the West for very long.”
Others believe that Westbrook can still get back to his best.
Chase Williams (USC football, senior safety (#7)): “I mean, he’s a good player; he’s beneficial. I think him working around other good players could, you know, help the team around. So, I don’t think it can hurt.”
De’Jon Benton (USC football, junior defensive lineman (#79)): “Russell Westbrook is going to help the team just because of his style of play and what he brings to the table. You know, and this is his hometown as well, so the Lakers could do it with the manpower that they have - it’s just all about how they use it.”
Kyle Ford (USC football, junior wide receiver (#81)): “They have like a lot of chemistry, obviously, like LeBron and all them - they’re all good guys together. So, I think he’s not going to harm anything for sure; I think he’s just going to make it easier to, like, take a lot of weight off those other two. Obviously, Russell’s not really like a three-point shooter, but at the same time, I think he’s going to help in so many different other aspects that I don’t think it should matter as much.”
Despite the rough start, fans continue to have hope for the possibility of another Lakers championship.
Christian John Bradley (USC football, former defensive lineman (#97)): “It’s definitely Lakers and Nets. Lakers and Nets, and we going to win in six. Right now, I do feel like we can beat them - and this is why, because we have physicality. I’m definitely confident that the Lakers have what it takes to win.”
Another championship can be really meaningful to the city of Los Angeles.
Katelyn Smith (USC women’s volleyball, freshman middle blocker (#17)): “There’s a big culture behind the basketball, like, I know there’s a bunch of people here that likes to go to the games. So, I definitely think there would be a big celebration if they won.”
We spoke to Bryan Carrington, Kyle Siemer, Chase Williams, De’Jon Benton, Kyle Ford, Christian John Bradley, and Katelyn Smith. For Annenberg Media, I’m Lida Li.
Correction: Chase Williams was previously listed as a cornerback.