Photo: Los Angeles Lakers/YouTube

Los Angeles Lakers controlling owner Jeanie Buss made claims of Russell Westbrook being the team’s best player last season, to later correct herself and say he was the most consistent.

Westbrook only missed four games during the campaign but has been the most criticized star up until now following what was a poor first season in the Purple and Gold, as the Lakers failed to make the playoffs with him as their point guard.

Photo: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

Speaking to The Athletic’s Sam Amick, Buss made what would have likely gone down as a very controversial statement when she labeled Westbrook the Lakers’ best player all season.

“All I can say is that, from my point of view, [Westbrook] was our best player last year. He played pretty much every single game, showed up, worked hard,” she said. “You know, I would have loved to have seen what this team would have looked like if they stayed healthy. It’s really tough to win when Anthony Davis isn’t on the court. LeBron [James] was hurt a lot of the season. But Russ showed up every game and played hard every night. And, you know, I just really appreciate him for who he is and what he brings to the team.”

Amick texted the Lakers governor sometime after the interview and Buss provided clarification.

“The word I should have used was ‘consistent.’ He played 78 games last season,” she noted.

Westbrook has become the subject of trade rumors following Pat Beverley joining the Lakers via trade last week. However, It’s been reported that head coach Darvin Ham will look to hand him a clearly-defined role should he remain with the team.