NBA Reporter Rips Westbrook: "A Washed-Up Bricklayer"

"If Los Angeles can’t find a way to get rid of (Russell) Westbrook, there’s no way to salvage this season." That's the way The Ringer's Kevin O'Connor started his look at the troubles that face the Los Angeles Lakers and their insistence to stick with Russell Westbrook thus far. 

“Russell Westbrook is a washed-up bricklayer who needs to be traded immediately for the Los Angeles Lakers to have any chance of saving their season," continued O'Connor

The former 9-time All-Star's shooting has sunk to such depths, that opponents are barely even caring to contest any time he goes up for a shot. 

O'Connor says that Westbrook jumpers have been contested only 41.2% of the time—the lowest contest rate by far in NBA tracking data history (since 2013). Over a full season, only Andre Roberson and Joakim Noah were below 50%. 

About the kindest O'Connor got in the story was to say "Westbrook isn’t the (Lakers') only problem, but he’s by far their biggest and most glaring one.

"And if Westbrook doesn’t make further changes, whether it’s with the Lakers or his next team, he’ll be out of the NBA... A future Hall of Famer is right now an outright detriment to the franchise’s hopes of making the playoffs. It’s time to do something about it."

Fans, however, night not have Westbrook to kick around for the Lakers' next game on Wednesday night against the Denver Nuggets, as he's listed as doubtful due to a hamstring injury. 

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