The photo was taken by Jayne Kamin- Oncea.
The Los Angeles Lakers star was criticized this season.
"I think I've been fine," the nine-time All-Star said. The conversation has been about how I'm playing and what I'm doing, but I think people are expecting me to have 25 and 15. Everybody has to understand that that is not a normal thing.
In the past four seasons, he averaged a triple-double, turning the exceptional into the norm. It can't continue forever.
His numbers were going to decline as he shared the ball with other people.
Rob Pelinka's last big roll of the dice to surround Davis and James with a championship-caliber roster was the acquisition of the 2016-17MVP, so the Lakers were probably counting on more from him to this point.
In 34 games, he's averaged 18.6 points, 7.9 rebound and 8.1 assists. His drop in production isn't related to improved scoring efficiency. He's shooting from the field and beyond the line.
It's not good that the Lakers are 4.5 points per 100 possessions better when he's not on the floor.
The Lakers had already held internal discussions on trade scenarios revolving around Westbrook, another sign of how poorly the partnership has started.
The dynamic guard has historically struggled the most around this time every year before finding his footing towards the end of the season.
The two worst months for true-shooting percentage were December and January. His two best months are February and March.
James and Davis are out for stretches of the season because of injuries, and the Lakers haven't been at full strength for long. The process of adjusting to Los Angeles has been hampered by that.
If the Lakers are to make the playoffs again, they will have to do it through the play-in tournament. It's easy to see why the general skepticism toward L.A. is so vociferous.
The problem may be solved as the year goes on.
