Google News Lakers' Russell Westbrook: I have to put us in position to compete for NBA title
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Los Angeles Lakers star guard Russell Westbrook has revealed that his family is very happy about his return to Los Angeles. Westbrook, who was born in Long Beach, California, played college basketball at the University of California (UCLA).
This summer, Westbrook was traded from the Washington Wizards to the Lakers. “Anytime a situation like this comes about or an opportunity presents itself it can be stressful,” Westbrook said at his introductory press conference, per Lakers Nation.
“A lot of emotions, but ultimately the biggest thing for me being in this league when you know teams that actually want you… to me, that means more than anything else. “At that point, it’s my job to make sure and come and do what I’m supposed to do and that’s to compete and make sure we have a chance to compete for a championship.
And yes, my family was very, very happy [laughs]”.
Westbrook wants to make his teammates better
“Yeah, man, it’s amazing,” Westbrook said. “The roster’s great. A bunch of guys that I’ve already known previously, which is even better.
And I’m more excited just to like I said before, I’m always interested in as I come into the season, always looking the roster and figuring out how I can make other guys better, and it’s as simple as that.
“I want to be able to leave an impact on people when they either play with me or come across me in a positive way. I’ll find ways to do that with that roster, but I’m looking forward to getting together with all the guys and figuring it out”.
The Lakers have formed a Big 3 as their roster also features LeBron James and Anthony Davis. “To be honest, my mindset is I never really worry about no other team. To be honest, we only can control what’s in our locker room and how we’re able to compete and go out.
I put our team up against anybody. That’s where I stand with that," Wesbrook noted. Meanwhile, Malik Monk -- who also signed with the Lakers this summer -- is excited about having a chance to play alongside Westbrook.
“I can’t explain how excited I am,” Monk said. “But how to attack, when to attack, when not to attack, and just how to be on go-mode the whole time and just his intensity. He never takes no plays off, he’s always going 100% and that’s what I can take and try to learn from him too”.
