NBA news: LeBron James needs to be more like THIS player to improve Lakers - claim
LEBRON JAMES needs to play more like Russell Westbrook in order to get the Los Angeles Lakers firing.
That is the opinion of FOX Sports journalist Skip Bayless.
The Lakers have had a fluctuating start to the season, winning five and losing six.
That has proved slightly underwhelming given the marquee signing of LeBron James in the summer.
Head coach Luke Walton has found it difficult to integrate the NBA’s best player amid a roster equal in both adolescence and dogged experience.
LeBron James needs to be the Russell Westbrook of the Lakers
Struggles to deploy a functional, organised team resulted in Lakers president Magic Johnson threatening Walton with the sack.
Lakers have registered two wins since that meeting last Friday against the Portland Trail Blazers and the Minnesota Timberwolves, but it seems Walton still does not know his best line-up.
Speaking on Undisputed, Bayless, who has covered basketball for over 40 years, believes James should try to emulate Oklahoma City Thunder’s Westbrook.
“This team will be at its best when LeBron James dribbles the ball up the floor and initiates the offence,” Bayless said.
“He needs to be the Russell Westbrook of the Lakers.
“That’s when they’ll be at their best, when this happens.”
Westbrook won the Most Valuable Player award in 2017 when he averaged a triple-double over the season’s course.
The seven-time All Star point guard is renowned for his full-throttle, gung-ho approach on the court.
It has been argued that Westbrook’s individuality is to the detriment of the team, however, who have previously got out of his way in order to let the American pad his stats.
Despite Bayless’ comments, James has averaged more points this season (26.5 to 24.1), but is down on assists (7.8 to 8.9) and rebounds (7.9 to 8.3).
The Lakers first take on the Thunder on January 3 next year, and the Oklahoma franchise currently sit six places above them in the competitive Western Conference.