Lakers newcomer Russell Westbrook is getting accustomed to playing in a different system than he is used to, according to head coach Frank Vogel.

The 32-year-old point guard is a different player than he was three weeks ago in terms of the way he plays in defense, Vogel says. “Russ’s integration into our system and how we use him with his teammates, he’s such a unique players,” he said. “I think that’s the biggest thing.

He’s had a lot of positive bursts and stretches for our group that sort of direct us into the positions we want to put him in, in particular offensively but also… he’s a different defender for us now that he was three weeks ago in terms of understanding what’s expected of him and learning our schemes which is different than some of the schemes that he’s played most of his career.

“But he’s picking those things up, he’s a willing learner, he’s all in with his intention to execute what we’re asking him to try to do I think that’s one of the biggest things. But really just the group. We got a lot of new guys learning our system.

“Obviously it’s different when LeBron’s in there versus when he’s not there. I do think that we’re better equipped this time to handle that than we were early in the season where we’re really still learning each other.”