I agree with this; Westbrook his last year on OKC made sense, they could build the entire team around him, he could put up huge numbers, have some dynamic plays, and the team could win enough games to possibly make the playoffs.
Now OKC got picks trading him away then got picks trading CP3 away so can't really fault them for getting those assets when they are rebuilding anyways. But the best basketball situation for Russ would be on a team like that where he could be the star, they just barely scraped into the playoffs, and get beat in the first round. As the years went on and he losses more athleticism the team would drift further and further down in the lottery, and ideally once you have enough young draft picks you move on, sort of similar to the Lakers with an old Kobe.
But Westbrook as a key player on a team in the playoffs won't work anymore, it was obvious when Dame broke that OKC team, it was obvious the next year in Houston when the Lakers smoked them, it was again obvious in the Washington playoffs, and now its being proven further with the Lakers. Its amazing how many analysts cling to the narrative and accomplishments of what Westbrook was 5 years ago. Even at his athletic peak with many faults in his game it was difficult to win in the postseason. Now into his mid 30's that player is long gone and not the same. These Westbrook teams still won't win in the postseason with him playing a large starting role.
The Lakers went from champs, to a playin team, to now this mess of a team. What a great year to hate the Lakers.
