Los Angeles Lakers: 3 reasons why Russell Westbrook should come off the bench

Los Angeles Lakers guard Russell Westbrook (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Los Angeles Lakers guard Russell Westbrook (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
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Los Angeles Lakers
Los Angeles Lakers trio LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and Russell Westbrook (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

Poor spacing

Westbrook is a poor shooter, most glaringly from distance. This is a trait that could threaten to shorten his career. There is not much of a market for guards who cannot shoot in a league ruled by shooting.

Currently, the Lakers rank 5th in 3-point percentage in the association at 38 percent. However, when Russ is on the floor, that percentage plummets to 35.2 percent, a mark that would knock the Lakers out of the top-10 from distance.

Moreover, when Russ is off the floor LA’s percentage skyrockets to 44.9 percent, a mark that would easily rank first in the league. Moving Westbrook to the second unit will unquestionably improve the team’s spacing.