2025 NBA Season

[el kaka22]

It's clear that the league did give a light punishment for sure, or maybe they gave a light punishment so close to season so that everything could start normal and then maybe they could start working towards something much bigger later on when they reviewed it more? I do not know the reason but he got off lightly for sure, if he was forced to sell his team that would be a lot better.

I mean I still do not get how an organization would have the power to tell you to sell your company that makes money for you, but NBA is the one that decides who is in and who is out so if you do not sell then they will give that spot to another brand new team. This is why it's much more important to make him sell, would be a good punishment.

[Jating]

I think you're probably right that a big change is coming for them in the near future.  Russell Westbrook just put his multimillion-dollar Los Angeles home up for sale, so he's expecting to need to find a new place to live in the near future.  I would think that you wouldn't put your home up for sale unless you knew that a change in scenery was imminent, which leads me to believe in spite of all the friendly talk, Pat Beverly and Russell Westbrook won't be playing on the same team.  I'm even starting to wonder if picking up Pat Bev was a way to help nudge Russell towards a buyout.

Honestly, I still have no idea if any other team would risk getting Westbrook, but it's clear that his decision to put the house in Los Angeles up for sale indicates that there is a good chance that the Lakers will get rid of him before the start of the season. By the way, this situation reminds me of Ben Simmons, who also put up for sale his real estate in Philadelphia before being traded to the Nets.

Think people are looking too much into that.  Market is high a good time to sell.  And yeah he might be gone soon but he should know his contract will be incredibly hard to move, much harder than Ben Simmons.  Ben basically told Philly he won't play for them either, russ ain't doing that.  So it could be as much as he just wants to move.

Yes, there is a high chance that it was just all a coincidence and Westbrook selling his house is not a sign or somehow connected to his current situation in LA Lakers. Ben Simmons is different because he already decided that he won't play for the Sixers anymore, that's why he sold his house at Philly.

I think we are just overreacting on some things regarding with Westbrook's situation because as of this moment, it seems to me that Westbrook will finish his contract playing for the Lakers.

You could be right that we are over reacting, or it could be true in the end, and there is nothing coincidence as this is a sign that he want his property to be sold and just have one houses in California and that is the place where he grow up.

Regardless, only time can give us the answers. We are almost at the start of the season now, and no team is willing top pick up Russ huge contract so he will be be playing for the Lakers this season.

[freedomgo]

And who knows, he might stay with the Lakers for the rest of the reason. So still he needed a house around Los Angeles.

That's up to the Lakers management, Westbook can choose to stay but what if the Lakers will think of trading him? I think the news about him selling his house is just pure business, it's not connected to him leaving LA soon.

Per se maybe this is the end of his career no one wants him anymore for me Russell Westbrook should not play like Russell Westbrook, I think he needs to make a transition in his plays he doesn't need to be like his old self if he wants to stay on the NBA for another season like Carmelo Anthony done, he transition himself to be defensive and at the same time an effective scorer if need, but he is not taking the spotlight to the superstar that can score more than he can,

Well, good thing is that he still have 1 more chance left before his card will burn, that 1 bad season he had is already enough for him to believe that he is not the main alpha in the team anymore and he needed to adapt as a supporting role because that's what the Lakers wanted from him.

He needs to duplicate what Carmelo did if he still wanted to play in the NBA because sooner or later, he will retire too just like the other players in the free agency.

[ChiBitCTy]

It's clear that the league did give a light punishment for sure, or maybe they gave a light punishment so close to season so that everything could start normal and then maybe they could start working towards something much bigger later on when they reviewed it more? I do not know the reason but he got off lightly for sure, if he was forced to sell his team that would be a lot better.

I mean I still do not get how an organization would have the power to tell you to sell your company that makes money for you, but NBA is the one that decides who is in and who is out so if you do not sell then they will give that spot to another brand new team. This is why it's much more important to make him sell, would be a good punishment.

It’s the same concept as like when a board of a publicly traded company forces the chief executive officer slash founder out of their position as CEO. It is in the best interest of the organization as a whole for the board (or in this case the league) to be able to make these decisions to protect the overall product and it’s something the CEO/Founder (nba team) agrees to when they decide to own a team in the NBA (or make a company public).

[Yogee]

Silver is like saying there had been improvements to the Phoenix organization's working environment over the years and that was most likely taken into account when the 30 members of the Board of Governors made their final decision.

I mean I still do not get how an organization would have the power to tell you to sell your company that makes money for you, but NBA is the one that decides who is in and who is out so if you do not sell then they will give that spot to another brand new team.

It's what they signed up for when they joined the league.

[agustina2]

If we based it in their recent performance, having Westbrook in the line-up won't definitely help them and might be best if they will acquire another point guard that is much more reliable. But it seems that Darvin Ham has another game plan if the Westbrook remains in the team, and that's what I wanted to see because the Lakers should just accept their defeat when they acquire Westbrook and just give the man his chance as this will be his last season based on his contract.

Westbrook is not only the reason why the Lakers failed last season. Almost all of them are the reason, from coach, players, and their bench. There are times that Westbrook is ending up with good stats in that game but it doesn't recognized. The injuries of their main players are also one of the reasons.

We can only see if Westbrook is really a problem if he will able to play with Lebron James and Anthony Davis in a complete game in a whole season. Westbrook played 78 games last season and he was part of the starting lineup in that 78 games. He is more healthy than Anthony Davis that even consistent in good numbers, that was all useless as he was always injured a becomes a soft big guy.

[blockman]

Regardless, only time can give us the answers. We are almost at the start of the season now, and no team is willing top pick up Russ huge contract so he will be be playing for the Lakers this season.

If no team is willing to pick him, the Lakers got no choice but to bear with him. At least for the first situation that another player got into this was KD.
He's got early for the trades but offers are too much for the Nets and then, in the end, he's being kept. The same might go for Russ if no team will be picking him or when is the deadline for trades?

[Baofeng]

If we based it in their recent performance, having Westbrook in the line-up won't definitely help them and might be best if they will acquire another point guard that is much more reliable. But it seems that Darvin Ham has another game plan if the Westbrook remains in the team, and that's what I wanted to see because the Lakers should just accept their defeat when they acquire Westbrook and just give the man his chance as this will be his last season based on his contract.

Westbrook is not only the reason why the Lakers failed last season. Almost all of them are the reason, from coach, players, and their bench. There are times that Westbrook is ending up with good stats in that game but it doesn't recognized. The injuries of their main players are also one of the reasons.

That's what I'm trying to say as well, it's really hard to pinpoint what is the exact reason for the Lakers bad performance after a big hype because Westbrook join them. And then the injuries to major player, others who have been kept like THT didn't perform as expected. But the thing is, since Westbrook is the only one out there that play a lot of games, and so it seems the blame is on him.

We can only see if Westbrook is really a problem if he will able to play with Lebron James and Anthony Davis in a complete game in a whole season. Westbrook played 78 games last season and he was part of the starting lineup in that 78 games. He is more healthy than Anthony Davis that even consistent in good numbers, that was all useless as he was always injured a becomes a soft big guy.

That could be the best scenario, all of them being healthy throughout the season to see the full potential of the team with Bron, Davis and Westbrook. If chances are Davis gets injured again, then they will be again in a difficult situation because Bron and Westbrook will have to carry the team on this shoulder.

[goinmerry]

That could be the best scenario, all of them being healthy throughout the season to see the full potential of the team with Bron, Davis and Westbrook. If chances are Davis gets injured again, then they will be again in a difficult situation because Bron and Westbrook will have to carry the team on this shoulder.

That's what I'm looking forward to, Lebron, AD, and Westbrook playing the whole season.

Westbrook played 55 times with Lebron - 17 PPG, 7.2 RPG, 6.7 assists
Westbrook played 39 times with Davis -  18.8 PPG, 7.4 RPG, 7.8 assists

His stats last season are pretty good while playing alongside Bron and AD. What's the other problem? Maybe bench players and supporting roles, especially during the times that Bron and AD are not playing and Westbrook becomes the main guy.

[ultrloa]

Regardless, only time can give us the answers. We are almost at the start of the season now, and no team is willing top pick up Russ huge contract so he will be be playing for the Lakers this season.

If no team is willing to pick him, the Lakers got no choice but to bear with him. At least for the first situation that another player got into this was KD.
He's got early for the trades but offers are too much for the Nets and then, in the end, he's being kept. The same might go for Russ if no team will be picking him or when is the deadline for trades?

Better for lakers to keep because overall Westbrook provide good numbers to his team. And its just a 1 season bad drop to them so what happen to them last season will not justify anything especially they encounter serious injuries from their main stars. Maybe Lakers should work with those 3 guys and they assure that they can finish the season together maybe from that they can get good results than their last season record.

[chaser15]

If no team is willing to pick him, the Lakers got no choice but to bear with him. At least for the first situation that another player got into this was KD.
He's got early for the trades but offers are too much for the Nets and then, in the end, he's being kept. The same might go for Russ if no team will be picking him or when is the deadline for trades?

It's impossible that no team likes Westbrook. There are teams that like to sign Westbrook. He is still better compared to most players in the league. The reason is obvious that the Lakers didn't want those trade packages they are receiving and demanded more. The current contract of Westbrook is one of the reasons too.

Unlike in KD issues, the Lakers are not forced to trade Westbrook. The problem of Westbrook is himself. The problem with KD is a relationship with the Nets organization. It's more of a big problem to me what KD's issue is even though they said it's already settled.

[LogitechMouse]

Regardless, only time can give us the answers. We are almost at the start of the season now, and no team is willing top pick up Russ huge contract so he will be be playing for the Lakers this season.

If no team is willing to pick him, the Lakers got no choice but to bear with him. At least for the first situation that another player got into this was KD.
He's got early for the trades but offers are too much for the Nets and then, in the end, he's being kept. The same might go for Russ if no team will be picking him or when is the deadline for trades?

With that huge contract and how he played last season, other teams find it unattractive or at least they will not make an effort just to get Westbrook, so I guess he will be in the same situation as KD where he will be kept in the team like you said.

If that's the case, then I guess Coach Ham will just deal with it and let's see how he will be dealing with a team who obviously lacks chemistry last season. For me, one flop season doesn't decide Westbrook's whole NBA career. He played very well when he is in the Thunder and even in the Wizards, so I believe that this season, he will improve and will not play the same as last year. I hope it will happen.

[TravelMug]

Regardless, only time can give us the answers. We are almost at the start of the season now, and no team is willing top pick up Russ huge contract so he will be be playing for the Lakers this season.

If no team is willing to pick him, the Lakers got no choice but to bear with him. At least for the first situation that another player got into this was KD.
He's got early for the trades but offers are too much for the Nets and then, in the end, he's being kept. The same might go for Russ if no team will be picking him or when is the deadline for trades?

With that huge contract and how he played last season, other teams find it unattractive or at least they will not make an effort just to get Westbrook, so I guess he will be in the same situation as KD where he will be kept in the team like you said.

If that's the case, then I guess Coach Ham will just deal with it and let's see how he will be dealing with a team who obviously lacks chemistry last season. For me, one flop season doesn't decide Westbrook's whole NBA career. He played very well when he is in the Thunder and even in the Wizards, so I believe that this season, he will improve and will not play the same as last year. I hope it will happen.

I guess as a new coach, Ham wanted to see what Westbrook can bring in the table first, and then he will go and maybe adjust along the way. If will be worse being a first year coach and never had a chance to see Westbrook play with his new system.

Right at OKC and Wizards he still can play very well and maybe that's one reason that the Lakers wanted him. But when he did play with them, it was a different version, but could be combination of other things that why the Lakers were out of the playoffs. If he improved this season then maybe the narrative that Westbrook is the issue why they failed will be change and maybe blame Vogel then (and that's why he is gone already).

[carlisle1]

That could be the best scenario, all of them being healthy throughout the season to see the full potential of the team with Bron, Davis and Westbrook. If chances are Davis gets injured again, then they will be again in a difficult situation because Bron and Westbrook will have to carry the team on this shoulder.

That's what I'm looking forward to, Lebron, AD, and Westbrook playing the whole season.

Westbrook played 55 times with Lebron - 17 PPG, 7.2 RPG, 6.7 assists
Westbrook played 39 times with Davis -  18.8 PPG, 7.4 RPG, 7.8 assists

His stats last season are pretty good while playing alongside Bron and AD. What's the other problem? Maybe bench players and supporting roles, especially during the times that Bron and AD are not playing and Westbrook becomes the main guy.

Too much expectation for someone who already passed on his prime, I guess  but the numbers state it all.

If the new coach got something that will jive the 3 main stars and, together with all the role players that they've signed, the winning chances

Lakers are still good. Imagine a Healthy Davis who we knew how dominant both inside and outside, while both LeBron and Westbrook can

drive inside and attract the defense. Either they'll take the shot and collect a foul or they can drop the ball to someone who has a better

look at the basket.

[rhomelmabini]

Regardless, only time can give us the answers. We are almost at the start of the season now, and no team is willing top pick up Russ huge contract so he will be be playing for the Lakers this season.

If no team is willing to pick him, the Lakers got no choice but to bear with him. At least for the first situation that another player got into this was KD.
He's got early for the trades but offers are too much for the Nets and then, in the end, he's being kept. The same might go for Russ if no team will be picking him or when is the deadline for trades?

Better for lakers to keep because overall Westbrook provide good numbers to his team. And its just a 1 season bad drop to them so what happen to them last season will not justify anything especially they encounter serious injuries from their main stars. Maybe Lakers should work with those 3 guys and they assure that they can finish the season together maybe from that they can get good results than their last season record.

But the doubt was still there and people will always speculate on things that do matter and people do love to see the bad side as always. Yeah it doesn't justify it but I hope they get well along with the current roster they have right now, and as a main player they should see more better plays than before.

[danherbias07]

If we based it in their recent performance, having Westbrook in the line-up won't definitely help them and might be best if they will acquire another point guard that is much more reliable. But it seems that Darvin Ham has another game plan if the Westbrook remains in the team, and that's what I wanted to see because the Lakers should just accept their defeat when they acquire Westbrook and just give the man his chance as this will be his last season based on his contract.

Westbrook is not only the reason why the Lakers failed last season. Almost all of them are the reason, from coach, players, and their bench. There are times that Westbrook is ending up with good stats in that game but it doesn't recognized. The injuries of their main players are also one of the reasons.

We can only see if Westbrook is really a problem if he will able to play with Lebron James and Anthony Davis in a complete game in a whole season. Westbrook played 78 games last season and he was part of the starting lineup in that 78 games. He is more healthy than Anthony Davis that even consistent in good numbers, that was all useless as he was always injured a becomes a soft big guy.

And that's because most of the stars are injured except him. He is the one playing so the blame will be all dropped on him.
But as the Buss family said, he played as a star during the last season and tried to lift the Lakers team during a time when they don't even have any hopes left.
The media made WB look bad and now he is paying for it and having a hard time for other teams to pick him.
His stats may be declining but it's not as bad as other players of his age. The skills and speed are still there but were only hit by bad critics.

[btc_angela]

If we based it in their recent performance, having Westbrook in the line-up won't definitely help them and might be best if they will acquire another point guard that is much more reliable. But it seems that Darvin Ham has another game plan if the Westbrook remains in the team, and that's what I wanted to see because the Lakers should just accept their defeat when they acquire Westbrook and just give the man his chance as this will be his last season based on his contract.

Westbrook is not only the reason why the Lakers failed last season. Almost all of them are the reason, from coach, players, and their bench. There are times that Westbrook is ending up with good stats in that game but it doesn't recognized. The injuries of their main players are also one of the reasons.

We can only see if Westbrook is really a problem if he will able to play with Lebron James and Anthony Davis in a complete game in a whole season. Westbrook played 78 games last season and he was part of the starting lineup in that 78 games. He is more healthy than Anthony Davis that even consistent in good numbers, that was all useless as he was always injured a becomes a soft big guy.

And that's because most of the stars are injured except him. He is the one playing so the blame will be all dropped on him.
But as the Buss family said, he played as a star during the last season and tried to lift the Lakers team during a time when they don't even have any hopes left.
The media made WB look bad and now he is paying for it and having a hard time for other teams to pick him.
His stats may be declining but it's not as bad as other players of his age. The skills and speed are still there but were only hit by bad critics.

Yes and it's not really fair to blame the miserable performance of the Lakers last season because Westbrook try his best to carry them, but it was not enough. Maybe that's what we have seen with him, really trying hard but it the end he can't have the Lakers in his shoulders. And so everyone become frustrated and so all attention is on him, specially his actions on the court, like airball, missing easy shots, him trying to dunk on someone and then getting blocked and other negativity on his plays last season.

[Oasisman]

If we based it in their recent performance, having Westbrook in the line-up won't definitely help them and might be best if they will acquire another point guard that is much more reliable. But it seems that Darvin Ham has another game plan if the Westbrook remains in the team, and that's what I wanted to see because the Lakers should just accept their defeat when they acquire Westbrook and just give the man his chance as this will be his last season based on his contract.

Westbrook is not only the reason why the Lakers failed last season. Almost all of them are the reason, from coach, players, and their bench. There are times that Westbrook is ending up with good stats in that game but it doesn't recognized. The injuries of their main players are also one of the reasons.

We can only see if Westbrook is really a problem if he will able to play with Lebron James and Anthony Davis in a complete game in a whole season. Westbrook played 78 games last season and he was part of the starting lineup in that 78 games. He is more healthy than Anthony Davis that even consistent in good numbers, that was all useless as he was always injured a becomes a soft big guy.

Yep, not only Westbrook is to blame there, but also those players who can't keep themselves healthy all throughout the season. Frank Vogel failed to execute a good rotation to their current roster last season. Some players deserves more minutes than the others, but Vogel always failed with his experiment.
Westbrook had put a good numbers though, but he lacks the winning mentality or the mamba mentality.
As usual, he's always down to have a good stats every game than winning the game.

[Yaunfitda]

If we based it in their recent performance, having Westbrook in the line-up won't definitely help them and might be best if they will acquire another point guard that is much more reliable. But it seems that Darvin Ham has another game plan if the Westbrook remains in the team, and that's what I wanted to see because the Lakers should just accept their defeat when they acquire Westbrook and just give the man his chance as this will be his last season based on his contract.

Westbrook is not only the reason why the Lakers failed last season. Almost all of them are the reason, from coach, players, and their bench. There are times that Westbrook is ending up with good stats in that game but it doesn't recognized. The injuries of their main players are also one of the reasons.

We can only see if Westbrook is really a problem if he will able to play with Lebron James and Anthony Davis in a complete game in a whole season. Westbrook played 78 games last season and he was part of the starting lineup in that 78 games. He is more healthy than Anthony Davis that even consistent in good numbers, that was all useless as he was always injured a becomes a soft big guy.

Yep, not only Westbrook is to blame there, but also those players who can't keep themselves healthy all throughout the season. Frank Vogel failed to execute a good rotation to their current roster last season. Some players deserves more minutes than the others, but Vogel always failed with his experiment.
Westbrook had put a good numbers though, but he lacks the winning mentality or the mamba mentality.
As usual, he's always down to have a good stats every game than winning the game.

And to be fair with WB, Lakers did get a lot of old and veteran players like Carmelo and others that did nothing wrong. Dwight Howard was yes, experience but he had good numbers but Vogel bench him. And I do agree that Vogel even though being criticized as well, did nothing to the rotation and didn't adjust even if they have a string of losses already. So there are a lot of reasons on their side in the beginning but they failed to react to it.

[Vaculin]

Many are saying that the penalty for Robert Sarver is very light a $10 million fine and suspension for a year, just a walk in the park for him, and they added that Sarver should get a heavy punishment and I think once a racist will always be racist, and his punishment should be like the one the Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling got, and that is a lifetime ban, which would be fairly fitting for Sarver, but then they explained that Sarver's case is different with the Sterling case that is why they will have different punishment which is I definitely don't understand,

I can't say I really understand the difference either.  I guess maybe because Sterling was caught on tape?  Who knows...  I haven't had time to review the report yet, but it sounds like more of the Sterling nonsense like you said.  I did see something at a glance about inappropriate touching to male employees?  It seems like Sarver has some issues that aren't just rooted in racism.  I hope he is left with a sour taste in his mouth and explores selling the team.  As a businessman, he's got to see that the value is at an all time high and headed lower as this recession takes hold.  He should do everyone a favor, including himself, and sell the team.

Even CP3 has spoken about that issue and he said that he indeed think that the penalty is very light specially the suspension and there are lot of media criticizing Adam here and it seems it is going to be a challenge for him as a NBA commissioner. And slowly some notable players are also giving their opinion about the case, like Lebron. And yeah, this could meted a lifetime ban and maybe he will have to sell the team. He had a lot of black players and if he continues to be a a racist then there's no way that he should be allowed to own any sporting team for that matter.

Most of the players are black and racism is a big issue in the US, he is lucky that he only has a light punishment considering his financial status. I hope people will stop racism, this is not good, we have to be trained fairly as we are all humans, and we are not anymore living in the past.

Even Lebron James himself have spoken about Robert Sarver's bad behavior and racism towards the players, also, I don't really get why there are those kinds of people who just shows bad attitude towards some specific culture without a reason, they are just plain angry just by looking at them. Now, the people and players in the league aren't happy with the NBA's decision towards the case and I bet the commissioner will be forced to do some steps so that he won't get blamed.

Phoenix Suns minority owner Jahm Najafi calls for Robert Sarver's resignation
https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/34600876/phoenix-suns-minority-owner-jahm-najafi-calls-robert-sarver-resignation