"We are a team that doesn’t rely on excuses - Russell Westbrook believes unity and resilience will get the LA Lakers out of their slump

Russell Westbrook has said the LA Lakers are not making any excuses for their recent shortcomings. The 33-year-old said that despite a slow start, the team is confident of raising its level over the rest of the season

The 90-108 loss against Phoenix was the 16th defeat of the season for the LA Lakers. They are currently seventh in the West and are yet to win four games in a row. Speaking about the expectations he has from the team for the remainder of the season, Westbrook said in a post-game press conference:

"Yeah I mean I'm very optimistic, we've been through so much as a team already and we still going through it as a unit. The best part for me thus far is just all the ups and downs, that's the NBA season... most important part is that never divide, never panic, never you know come to whatever the people on the outside are saying, just to make sure we stay close-knit."

"We have to find ways to be able to stick together whatever it is, because we're a team that dont rely on excuses, we understand the circumstances we have in our locker-room and we got to make the best of it, as simple as that," the LA Lakers star added.

With only 50 games left for the LA Lakers' regular season to end, the team still has to play at full strength. Although James has had a stellar season, his health has been a bit of a concern. Despite setbacks such as COVID outbreaks, AD's injury issues and the absence of new additions Trevor Ariza and Kendrick Nunn, the LA Lakers look like a well-equipped side.

Speaking about the championship aspirations of the LA Lakers team, Russell Westbrook said:

"Every game we get out, it's the same question, 'Hey can you guys figure out, Hey', but everybody obviously knows that we haven't even been able to see how our team could be like, thus far. We understand that like I just said, Our job is to keep our head down and stay locked in on one common goal and that's winning a championship. To do that, it's not going to be easy and we understand that end."

Can the LA Lakers realistically win the championship this season?

Russell Westbrook in the Phoenix Suns v Los Angeles Lakers game

The LA Lakers made some big signings in the offseason. They recruited stars like Russell Westbrook, Carmelo Anthony, Dwight Howard and Rajon Rondo. However, they have copped a lot of criticism after a string of underwhelming performances. The team are yet to figure out their best starting 5. This could be attributed to the long lying injury bug that has followed the team throughout the season.

Trevor Ariza, who has been out since the start of the season, only played in his second game for the LA Lakers when the team took on the Suns. Kendrick Nunn is yet to return and remains out until at least January.

Anthony Davis recently injured his knee in a game against the Minnesota Timberwolves and will be out for at least 2-4 weeks.

All of these problems have troubled the team since the start of the 2021-22 season. Meanwhile, the Lakers' rivals in the West, Golden State and Phoenix, have been firing on all cylinders this year. Both have shown great resilience and look like frontrunners for the Larry O'Brien trophy.

The Purple and Gold look like a team made for the playoffs. They have a roster of players with championship experience and once the team gets all their players fit together, that is when they will look like a well-balanced squad.

There is no guarantee as to when that may happen, but if the LA Lakers can stay fit, they could become one of the top contenders in the West.