LeBron James seems fed up with Russell Westbrook’s capturing struggles after an 0-3 begin to the Lakers season.
With 30 seconds to go within the fourth quarter and a 102-101 Lakers lead over the Path Blazers on Sunday, Westbrook missed a jumper with 18 seconds on the shot clock.
James, who was strolling up the court docket, appeared confused by Westbrook’s determination and flailed his arms within the air earlier than he ran again on protection.
Damian Lillard would hit a 3-pointer on the following possession to offer the Blazers the lead, they usually held on for a 106-104 victory when James missed a fallaway on the buzzer.
After the sport, Westbrook mentioned he was attempting to go two-for-one with taking the shot so early. When requested in regards to the shot determination, James wouldn’t focus on the matter, however appeared to defend Westbrook.
“I really feel like that is an interview of attempting to set me as much as say one thing. I can inform that you simply guys are in the entire ‘Russell Westbrook class’ proper now,” James mentioned postgame. “I don’t prefer to lose. I hate to lose at something. I don’t care what occurs all through the course of my season or all through the course of my profession, I hate to lose. And particularly the way in which we had this recreation. However give credit score to Portland.
“You guys can write about Russ and all of the stuff you need to attempt to speak about Russ, however I’m not up right here to try this. I gained’t do it. I’ve mentioned it again and again. …That’s not who I'm.”
Though Lakers coach Darvin Ham supported Westbrook’s determination to shoot early, he mentioned he thought Westbrook “settled” for the jumper.
“I simply wished he had attacked the rim,” Ham mentioned. “It’s only a matter of stepping up. For those who’re gonna take it, it's a must to step up and make it. And that’s just about it.”
Westbrook, who missed each of his fourth-quarter pictures within the closing 4 minutes, completed with 10 factors, six rebounds and 6 steals. He went 4-for-15 from the sphere and was 0-for-3 from three-point vary.
That got here after his 0-for-11 efficiency in Thursday’s loss to the Clippers.
“Simply attempting to do one of the best I can,” Westbrook mentioned.
The Lakers’ capturing struggles have been on show all through three straight losses to start out the season. On Sunday, they shot 18.2 p.c from three, which was worse than their first two video games after they went a mixed 19-for-85 (22.4 p.c).
“We will’t shoot a penny within the ocean,” James mentioned, whereas wanting on the stat sheet following the sport.
After the sport, a number of gamers reportedly cited “shot choice” as an issue the staff must right.
The Lakers have explored buying and selling Westbrook all through the offseason after he did not gel with James and Anthony Davis final season. Nevertheless, they believed conserving Westbrook underneath Ham’s system would enhance his match inside the roster.
To date, that doesn't seem like the case.
The Lakers journey to Denver to face the Nuggets on Wednesday.
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