This week in Lakers’ news:
Westbrook Week: Russell Westbrook had himself a week off the court, taking his LA lifestyle across the country. First, the veteran guard appeared at New York Fashion Week in a fit that only he could pull off (I absolutely need him to show up to a game wearing combat boots and a skirt this season). Then, he made an appearance at the Met Gala in a more understated but classy look plus some stars in his blue hair. And finally, he and LeBron James both appeared in a new Nas music video that dropped this week.
Westbrook Week
🥾 NY Fashion Week
🎀 Met Gala
🎤 Nas Music Video
💪 Work pic.twitter.com/012QT097HU— Lakers Outsiders (@LakersOutsiders) September 16, 2021
"I want to be an icon when I'm done" – Russell Westbrook at the Met Gala pic.twitter.com/BjnRu2uV7k
— michael corvo (@_michaelcorvo_) September 13, 2021
An icon, you are, Russell Westbrook.
Anthony Davis at the Five???
Don’t look now but Lakers fans might finally be getting their wish. According to a report from Jake Fischer of Sports Illustrated, Anthony Davis could be starting at the center spot this season, probably as a reaction to the Westbrook acquisition. That would leave Dwight Howard as the backup center with DeAndre Jordan as the third reserve big. This could be a huge development for the Lakers’ chances at hitting the ground running with their new roster.New Hires: The Lakers have made some changes to their training staff including hiring Roger Sancho – who spent the past seven seasons with the Golden State Warriors – as their head athletic trainer and promoting Ed Streit to head strength and conditioning coach.
Meanwhile, John Lucas III was hired as an assistant coach. The franchise made his and David Fizdale’s hiring official this week.
New Signing: The Lakers signed their last nonguaranteed training camp deal, inking Nevada legend Cameron Oliver to an Exhibit 10 deal. Oliver went undrafted out of Nevada in 2017 (he worked out with the Lakers pre-draft) and has mostly had training camp and summer league appearances for NBA experience. He did play four games with the Rockets last season, including a 17 point performance against the Lakers. Oliver has had a lot of success in the NBL in Australia while chasing his NBA dream.
The Lakers also reportedly worked out Kenneth Faried this week. They have two open guaranteed roster spots.
New Jerseys? Some new Lakers jerseys were leaked this past week. They seem to have a Charlotte Hornets-esque colorway and I am here for it.
New Laker threads 👀🔥
(h/t @camisasdanba ) pic.twitter.com/CyrJClAD9i
— NBA Central (@TheNBACentral) September 14, 2021
What we wrote this week:
On Monday, Alex answered some mailbag questions including about those final roster spots.
On Tuesday, Donny started a series discussing who may start at the shooting guard position, starting with Kent Bazemore.
On Wednesday, Walt wrote about some recent Carmelo Anthony comments and why the timing to join the Lakers now could not be any better.
On Thursday, Honi discussed the Marc Gasol situation and what lessons the Lakers could learn from mishandling it.
