Los Angeles Lakers: Why Russell Westbrook is to blame for defensive issues

The Los Angeles Lakers have been one of the worst defenses through the first six games of the 2021-22 season. They are currently 20th in opponents’ field goal percentage, allowing opposing teams to shoot 45.7 percent from the field on 93.3 shots per game.

The field goal percentage has been a contributing factor to them being 29th in the opponents’ points per game as other teams are averaging 116.5 points. The Lakers’ defensive issues could be directly connected to their starting point guard, Russell Westbrook. Westbrook has been at the forefront of their main defensive issues: turnovers and lack of concentration.

Let’s take a look at how Russell Westbrook has negatively impacted the Los Angeles Lakers defense.

Westbrook has a habit of throwing the ball away when he doesn’t see a path to get to the basket. For instance, Russell Westbrook was dribbling the ball up the court, mid-way through the third quarter, in a game against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

As Westbrook was approaching the basket, he realized that he wouldn’t get a clear shot because Derrick Favors and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander were standing in front of the basket. Consequently, he decided to turn around and throw the ball to the perimeter in hopes that one of his teammates would be there to receive the pass.

Unfortunately, Luguentz Dort prevented backup point guard Rajon Rondo from getting the ball, as he got there a second before him. Westbrook’s lousy pass led to Dort getting a dunk in transition. Westbrook’s decision-making has led to him leading the team and league in turnovers, averaging 5.7 per game. Opponents have averaged 16 points off these turnovers, 13.7 percent of their total scoring output.

Turnovers haven’t been Westbrook’s only problem, as he has also showcased a lack of concentration on the defensive end. For instance, Westbrook was standing in between the paint and 3-point line early in the third quarter in the same game against the Thunder. He was responsible for guarding Dort, who was standing behind the arc, on the right wing.

Unfortunately, Westbrook lost track of Dort during that possession because he was watching Gilgeous-Alexander. Consequently, Dort was able to move from the right wing towards the top of the key without Westbrook realizing it. His inability to focus led Gilgeous-Alexander to pass the ball to Dort, who made a wide-open three to end the possession.

The combination of turnovers and lack of focus has led Russell Westbrook to be second on the team in the opponent’s field goal percentage, as they shoot 46.7 percent when he is on the court in 70 shots per game.

The field goal percentage has allowed teams to average 88.8 points when he is on the court. The production with Westbrook on the court has helped opposing teams outscore the Lakers by 5.7 points per game in his 35.9 minutes.

The Lakers have a dramatically different experience when he is off the court because they only commit 4.2 turnovers when he sits on the bench. Opponents have only averaged 3.8 points off these reduced turnovers, 23.7 percent less than when Westbrook is on the court.

The reduction in turnovers has helped them hold opponents to 42.9 percent shooting on 23.3 shots a game. Consequently, opponents have been outscored by 4.7 points as they are only able to average 27.7 points per game. If Westbrook can make better decisions with the basketball and focus more on the defensive end, the team’s defense should improve.