The addition of Russell Westbrook to the Los Angeles Lakers was the cause of skepticism by some NBA analysts as they doubted whether the former league MVP can co-exist with two superstars in LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
Westbrook, who averaged triple-double in four seasons in the NBA, including the most recent one, will be sharing the floor with two dominant players in LA which is a cause of concern for some. However, Dwight Howard is confident that Russ will fit in well with the Lakers. According to the center, Westbrook already has experience playing with other superstars, such as Kevin Durant, James Harden and Bradley Beal, which should make it easier for him to adjust to his new teammates.
Via Jacob Rude of Silver Screen and Roll:
“I think it will work great,” Howard said of the Lakers new big three in his introductory press conference. “He’s played with superstars before. He’s played with KD and James (Harden), he’s played with Bradley Beal, he’s played with so many superstars, so I don’t think that will be a problem for him. I think he has been underappreciated. I think all of us, really, have been underappreciated.
“But I know that we appreciate each other. We all appreciate what we each bring to the table for this team,” Howard continued in his typically energetic self. “So I think having a guy like Russ is going to get you 15, 16, 20 points a night. He’s going to get you 12 rebounds, he’s going to get you 10 assists, and he’s going to play 110% every single night. How can you not appreciate that? So I’m gonna tell you: ‘I appreciate you, Russ!’ And we ain’t even played a game on the same team yet. But I appreciate what you do, and I think everyone in L.A. is going to appreciate it when you’re holding up that trophy at the end of the season. Why not? There we go! Let’s get it y’all!”
Westbrook, who is a California native, averaged 22.2 points, 11.5 rebounds and 11.7 assists per game for the Washington Wizards this past season.
