While playing alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis last season, Shaquille O'Neal claimed that Russell Westbrook was "showing too much respect" in an interview with Bill DiFilippo of Uproxx Sports:
Just being too kind, he said. Even though I don't know how they are related and I don't know anything about basketball, Russell Westbrook and LeBron James make for an incredible backcourt. I'm not sure why it didn't work, but as I watched him play, he displayed extreme passivity. I need you to play your game; I don't need you to be passive. When you receive the ball after a missed shot, run. If you don't have anything to run with, pull it out, throw it to LeBron, and call some plays. He was simply overthinking, and that's how it was with me. He is a man who transforms into a monster when he plays recklessly.
Although playing with LeBron, who was fifth in the NBA in touches per game, Westbrook's usage rate dropped to 27.3% last season, which was his lowest number since 2009–10. In NBA circles, there has been talking of Westbrook being the sixth man in Los Angeles, but would the 34-year-old PG accept that?
However, he doesn't have an option, as no team has yet to volunteer to sign his sizable expiring contract. On paper, I'm cautiously optimistic that Westbrook may succeed in a sixth-man position now that Patrick Beverley has joined the team. Beverley's inclusion with the starters would offer them more floor space and the crucial defensive spark they need while giving Westbrook the reins with the second unit might put him back in his element.
Even though Beverley and Westbrook had one of the NBA's fiercest rivalries, it's been interesting to watch them get along well, at least in front of the media. As usual, there will be a lot of interest in Los Angeles as we wait to watch how this backcourt develops.
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