Several analysts believe that the LeBron James-Russell Westbrook duo wouldn’t work together in LA. Kendrick Perkins, on the other hand, has his full faith in the Los Angeles Lakers.
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To call the Los Angeles Lakers 2020-2021 season a failure is an understatement. It was a tragic disappointment for LeBron James and co. As the defending champions and one of the strongest teams on paper, LAL was heavily favoured to win the 2021 Championship as well. Much to their surprise and due to several injuries, the powerhouse stumbled down in the standings, eventually having to play the Warriors in the newly-added play-in tournament, only to get knocked out of the first round of the playoffs against the Phoenix Suns.
As expected, the front office made some changes to the roster. In fact, so many deals were finalized that the Lakers have only four players on their squad from their 2020 Championship season. And with only 3 seasons worth of experience at LA, King James is the longest-tenured Laker on the entire roster.
Jeanie Buss, Rob Pelinka and others got rid of several role players, Kyle Kuzma, Dennis Schroder, Andre Drummond, Montrezl Harrell amongst many. While managing to acquire numerous veterans like Carmelo Anthony, Dwight Howard, Trevor Ariza, Kent Bazemore and others. But their blockbuster trade of this offseason was the move getting in 2017 MVP Russell Westbrook from the Washington Wizards.
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With so many capable players on the squad, the Lakers bench for next season is as deep as it can get. The LeBron, Anthony Davis, Westbrook-trio is looking to be quite deadly on paper, to lead a squad full of All-Stars and future Hall-Of-Famers.
“To everyone doubting whether LeBron James and Russell Westbrook are a good fit… Shame on you!”: Kendrick Perkins
Despite this, there are several doubters who just don’t believe in the LBJ-Brodie fit. Several analysts, like Skip Bayless, just don’t see this Lakers team working. Whereas, analysts like Kendrick Perkins have the utmost faith in this squad and actually believe that the Lakers are strong title contenders for the 2022 title.
On a recent episode of “The Jump”, Perk silenced all the haters who were doubting this LAL team.
“Look I’ve been trying to warn the world, and it’s just like those old people as my grandparents used to tell me when my grandmother was cooking, “ay, don’t touch that oven. It’s hot.” And then you have to learn. You touch the oven and then you get burnt.”
“This is what’s bout to happen to all the people that are doubting or have something to say about, whether or not Russell Westbrook and LeBron James are gonna work on the court. Yes, it’s gonna work. Russell Westbrook has proven to us that he is a guy that is willing to facilitate for others.”
“LeBron James doesn’t wanna carry them no more. LeBron James has shown us that he can play alongside a non-shooting superstar like he did with Dwyane Wade and he still won championships.“
“Look, to all the people that are doubting Russ and LeBron and the Lakers, when we get to the postseason, name the team just in the Western Conference alone that could beat this Lakers team, fully healthy in a 7 game series.”
