Lakers News: Anthony Davis Tells Russell Westbrook To ‘Be Himself’ Before Games
(Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images)

Russell Westbrook has emerged as one of the Los Angeles Lakers’ leaders in recent weeks, playing a major role behind the team’s improved performance.

Westbrook made adjustments to his game, focusing on utilizing his pace and strength to exert pressure on rivals in the paint. The 2017 NBA MVP has also seemed to have figured out how to complement LeBron James and Anthony Davis as L.A.’s Big 3 has showed much better chemistry on the floor over the last few games.

James, Davis, and Westbrook took turns in orchestrating the Lakers’ play in the recent victory over the Boston Celtics, one of the team’s best games of the season. The former ended the night with 30 points and the other two All-Stars each recorded a double-double.

“I think in the beginning of the year, Russ was a little bit passive,” Davis said of Westbrook after the Tuesday win over Boston.

“He was trying to get guys involved, pass the ball. He’d be at the rim and he had one tonight where he tried to kick out to Melo where he could’ve laid the ball up. So we’ve just been trying to tell him to be himself, don’t try to be anybody else.

On Tuesday, Westbrook’s moment came after halftime — which has been a theme recently. The 33-year-old guard scored 15 points in the third quarter, inspiring the Lakers’ yet another second-half push after weeks of struggles in that period earlier in the season.

Westbrook exuded high energy during these outbursts, which then spread among the Lakers and led to a greater intensity in their game. Davis said the guard needs to keep his “attack mode” on when in play, claiming that only then he can be the best version of himself.

“The more you’re aggressive, the more it will it open up for everybody else,” Davis said.

“As of late, the last 7-10 games, he’s been very very aggressive and when he does that, it opens up the floor for everyone else as far as shooting. So he’s just been in attack mode. You saw tonight, he went on a stretch in the third quarter where he just went downhill and finished and that’s what you got to do.

“Before every game, I tell him to be himself and that’s why we brought him here. To be Russell Westbrook, not anybody else but that.”

Westbrook felt responsible to fix Lakers’ third-quarter woes

Westbrook said he took notice of the Lakers’ persistently lukewarm effort in the third quarter of early-season games — and then made it his goal to fix the lingering issue.

“Definitely. I think as a player, and especially as a point guard, my job is to make sure our team is ready to go,” he said.

“And when we’re not, I take that responsibility on myself, just watching film and figure out how I can not let us low to sleep and make sure that I keep my energy flowing in the right direction and my teammates can follow.”

Have you subscribed to our YouTube channel? It’s the best way to watch player interviews, exclusive coverage from events, participate in live shows, and more!

You May Also Like

Lakers Rumors: Kobe Bryant Hints At Joining Twitter

So, if you’re one of those tweeters the kids know about these…

This Day In Lakers History: Shaquille O’Neal, Allen Iverson Become 2nd Set Of Opposing Players To Score At Least 40 Points In Same NBA Finals Game

The Los Angeles Lakers, led by Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal, had simply dominated the 2001 NBA Playoffs…

Magic Johnson Helps Out At Jordan Clarkson’s Youth Basketball Camp (VIDEO)

Los Angeles Lakers guard Jordan Clarkson hosted his second annual Nike JC6 youth basketball camp focusing on inspiring younger generations to take a sense of pride in their community…

Recap: Lakers Remain Winless In Preseason After Loss To Warriors In Debut Of Big 3

Fans were finally treated to the debut of the Los Angeles Lakers ‘Big 3’ of LeBron James, Anthony Davis and Russell Westbrook…