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Shaquille O’Neal Says Russell Westbrook Is A Role Player With The Los Angeles Lakers

Russell Westbrook did not get the Los Angeles Lakers debut that he hoped for as he only finished with 8 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 turnovers on 30.8% shooting from the field on Tuesday night. The Golden State Warriors ultimately spoiled the Lakers’ anticipated night, beating them to a score of 121-114.

The former league MVP is certainly more comfortable on playing with a team that heavily relies on his ball-dominance, but since the Lakers aren’t going to be that kind of team, Westbrook will have to take a marginalized role and figure the rest of the things out.

NBA Hall of Famer and TNT analyst Shaquille O’Neal shared his thoughts on how he envisions Westbrook playing with the Lakers going forward. According to O’Neal, Westbrook is a role player and will have to settle with that role while deferring to the likes of LeBron James and Anthony Davis.

Per the L.A. Times:

“They still need role players, right?” O’Neal said. “I see Russ as a role player, a damned good one, but he’s a role player. It’s LeBron [James] first, AD (Anthony Davis) second and then Russ. He can get his stuff on the break.”