LeBron James and Russell Westbrook are getting a new coaching staff this offseason, and the changes continue with Rasheed Wallace being hired as the new assistant coach.
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The Lakers are trying to make up for a disastrous season last year, and the changes started right at the top with head coach Frank Vogel being fired.
Recently, the Lakers hired Darvin Ham as their head coach, and they just filled in the assistant position as well with Rasheed Wallace.
The hope is that with a new regime, the trio of Anthony Davis, Russell Westbrook, and LeBron James can reach their full potential. However, there is a lot of work to be done to reach that goal. After finishing 33-49 last year, the Lakers made it clear that the issues went beyond just the coaching.
Westbrook in particular disappointed the most out of the new big three as his stats heavily declined, and he looked more like a burden than a star.
LA will have to make moves in free agency to construct an ideal roster around their three stars, and that’s where the real fun will begin with this team this offseason.
Report: Rasheed Wallace likely to be part of Lakers coaching staff https://t.co/BaiYlUiH7q
— NBACentral (@TheNBACentral) June 6, 2022
Rasheed Wallace once had high praise for Russell Westbrook
If there is anyone who might be happing to join perhaps the most difficult coaching room in the NBA, it might just be Rasheed Wallace.
The former NBA player once claimed that Russell Westbrook was the best player in the NBA, ahead of players like LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and Giannis Antetokounmpo.
On the scale of wildest takes, that definitely has to be up there. Russell Westbrook has been great throughout his career, but there was never a point where he was seen as the overwhelming best player in the league. However, Wallace felt this way just as recent as last year (2021) when Westbrook was a member of the Wizards.
“Did anybody else just read those numbers that was put up?” he asked. “I mean, goodness gracious, this man is right now — I gotta say, Russ is the best player in the NBA right now. That’s no disrespect to KD, and Kyrie and LeBron. But, aye, right now… what this kid is doing?”
Rasheed Wallace on Russ about a year ago: “He’s the best player in the world”
Peep the reactions of the other 3 at the moment he says it https://t.co/OYXBhhJUqi pic.twitter.com/Hk7uhGEMbH
— 🏆LakersGuru🏆 (@GuruLakers) June 6, 2022
These comments came after Westbrook averaged yet another triple double for the season last year on Washington. The feat was definitely impressive, but it was shocking to hear Westbrook be named as the best player in the league. You can tell from the reactions of the rest of the crew as well that this comment came as a major surprise.
