Lakers

These guys work their tails off on the defensive end and can shoot the basketball. Cole Swider is the only question mark on defense because we haven't seen much ...

If the confidence is there for Russell Westbrook and doesn’t waiver, he is as unstoppable as they come. Nobody can guard Russell Westbrook when he is determined and going downhill to the rim. Suppose he can be efficient with the basketball, limit his turnovers, hit a respectable number of jump shots, and force the defense to play him around the perimeter. All of these players will put Westbrook in a much better position to be successful on the court. They added Lonnie Walker IV, an athletic wing known for his defense and ability to add a spark to the lineup. Players who can hit open shots, contested shots, and play solid and stout defense around the perimeter.

Some have suggested that the Los Angeles Lakers could pay Russell Westbrook to sit out next season. However, a recent report by NBA insider Marc Stein ...

Obviously, Russell Westbrook can still have a positive impact on the team if he is put in the right role by coach Darvin Ham. Though Russell Westbrook may no longer be an MVP-caliber player, he can definitely still be a contributor to the Los Angeles Lakers next season. Russell Westbrook had a tough season with the Los Angeles Lakers, often struggling as the No.

According to a report from NBA insider Marc Stein, if a players-only minicamp organized by LeBron James happens this year, Westbrook will be there. “The Lakers' ...

They’ve [reportedly](https://lakersdaily.com/darvin-hams-latest-comments-indicate-he-plans-to-use-russell-westbrook-and-patrick-beverley-together/) been in contact with each other, which is a good sign. did with his father](https://lakersdaily.com/lebron-james-jokes-that-bronny-would-get-a-whooping-if-he-stole-a-play-from-him-like-kenny-griffey-jr-did-with-his-father/) If that does indeed happen, it’ll be fascinating to see whether or not the two players can coexist on the floor. As I tweeted last Tuesday just before taking off for EuroBasket, league sources say Westbrook and Beverley have already had some contact as teammates despite their ultra-rocky past, which Beverley confirmed in a subsequent tweet.” Any sort of pre-camp gathering involving LeBron and his fellow purple-and-gold vets would represent a key step in the Lakers’ efforts to move past all the tension that bubbled throughout last season’s rocky 33-49 campaign, bringing James and [Anthony Davis]together with Westbrook and the newly acquired [Patrick Beverley]before the Lakers report for their first practices under new coach [Darvin Ham]on Sept. However, there are still plenty of questions that need to be answered before the regular season begins.

Darvin Ham is determined to establish a real role for Westbrook in his first season as head coach. LeBron James is expected to host a players-only minicamp ...

When asked which NBA player could cut it as a boxer, former longtime WBC heavyweight title-winner Deontay Wilder's thoughts immediately turned to the ...

Wilder certainly has the cred to be able to scout boxing talent. He made a point to take in a "It's a year-round sport so you've got to breathe, eat and sleep it," Wilder reflected.

If there's an NBA player who could have become a great boxer, Deontay Wilder thinks it would have been the late Lakers legend Kobe Bryant.

The Lakers would be happy he pursued basketball for sure. Robinson for Bovada](https://twitter.com/BovadaOfficial/status/1565746639570145281), Wilder was asked which current NBA player he thinks would be a great boxer. Kobe Bryant was the prime example of killer mentality, with his Mamba Mentality being used as a mantra for many athletes until today.

Russell Westbrook plans to attend LeBron James' annual minicamp before the Lakers open training camp in a couple of weeks.

How does everyone in the locker room react if the Lakers get off to a slow start? After spending the summer [looking for a trade that moved Westbrook out of town](https://nba.nbcsports.com/2022/07/28/would-lakers-need-to-surrender-two-first-round-picks-to-trade-westbrook/) (they haven’t stopped but a deal appears unlikely in the short term), the Lakers are readying to move into training camp with Westbrook in a key role. Along those same lines, how well will Westbrood defend, and what happens the first time Ham benches him in the clutch to get Beverley and better defenders on the court? As tends to happen with all teams heading toward the start of the season, everyone is optimistic and promising to do whatever it takes to win. Sources maintain that Ham is determined to establish a real role for Westbrook if he remains a Laker. Any sort of pre-camp gathering involving LeBron and his fellow purple-and-gold vets would represent a key step in the Lakers’ efforts to move past all the tension that bubbled throughout last season’s rocky 33-49 campaign, bringing James and

There are so many ques The Lakers' LeBron James typically hosts a players-only minicamp somewhere on the West Coast before training camp starts, ...

Keep your popcorn at the ready. Such teams smartly will seek draft compensation for such a move, however. He's a ball-dominant point guard who doesn't offer much in the way of perimeter shooting or consistent on-ball defense. [reportedly unenthusiastic](https://www.latimes.com/sports/lakers/story/2022-09-01/donovan-mitchell-trade-jazz-cavaliers-russell-westbrook-lakers) about the prospect of giving up a future first-round pick—or multiple—to move on from Westbrook and his gargantuan $47 million salary for the upcoming season. The Lakers had a net rating of minus-4.0 with him on the court that improved to minus-1.6 when he sat, per But players-only meetings and online olive branches won't change the fact that Westbrook is a poor fit for the superstar duo of LeBron and AD.