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The LA Lakers have fallen to 0-3 on the season, following a fourth-quarter collapse against the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday.
The Lakers, who were up eight with a few minutes remaining, ended up losing 106-104 on a game-winning layup by Blazers forward Jerami Grant. Their dreadful team shooting continued in the game as they shot just 6-for-33 (18.2%) from deep. However, aside from team shooting struggles, Russell Westbrook's shot selection also led to frustrations all over.
One of Russell Westbrook’s ill-advised shots in particular has made its rounds on the internet. The Lakers were up 102-101 with just over 30 seconds remaining when Westbrook pulled up for a mid-range jumper early in the shot clock.
Westbrook clanked the shot off the far side of the rim which led to LeBron James and Anthony Davis waiving their arms in frustration.
Russell Westbrook finished the game with just 10 points, six rebounds and six assists on 4-15 (26.7%) shooting. The Lakers were also outscored 16-7 after head coach Darvin Ham subbed Westbrook back into the game with just under five minutes left in the fourth quarter. However, during his postgame interview, LeBron James still refused to put the blame on Westbrook for the Lakers’ loss.
“I feel like this is an interview of trying to set me up to say something. I can tell that you guys are in the whole ‘Russell Westbrook category’ right now,” James said.
James then spoke about his frustrations with losing before giving credit to the Blazers.
“I don’t like to lose. I hate to lose at anything. I don’t care what happens throughout the course of my season or throughout the course of my career, I hate to lose. And especially the way we had this game. But give credit to Portland,” James said.
After that, James doubled down on his refusal to criticize Westbrook.
“You guys can write about Russ and all the things you want to try to talk about Russ, but I’m not up here to do that. I won’t do it. I’ve said it over and over. …That’s not who I am,” James said.
Darvin Ham on Russell Westbrook’s questionable shot selection
During his postgame interview, Darvin Ham spoke about how he supported Russell Westbrook’s decision to go for a two-for-one with 30 seconds remaining. However, Ham just wishes that Westbrook attacked the rim, rather than settling for a jumper.
“I just wished he had attacked the rim,” Ham said.
Ham later added that the Lakers just need someone to step up and hit some late-game shots.
“It’s just a matter of stepping up. If you’re gonna take it, you have to step up and make it. And that’s pretty much it,” Ham said.
The LA Lakers will now look to bounce back and secure their first win of the season on Wednesday on the road against the Denver Nuggets.
