https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/39911085/how-russell-westbrook-bench-role-helped-la-clippers
The Clippers are 7-2 since Westbrook returned from hand surgery on March 25. Despite Kawhi Leonard missing five straight games with knee inflammation, the Clippers have regained some of their early season swagger that once saw them leading the West at 34-15 on Feb. 6 before dropping 12 of their next 22 games. It left many to wonder if the team had peaked before the playoffs.
Westbrook’s first full season with the Clippers has hardly gone as he expected. He began the season as the starting point guard but the late-October trade for Harden led to Westbrook becoming a sixth man for his second straight team. But unlike during his brief tenure with the Los Angeles Lakers, Westbrook’s move to the bench this season was the catalyst for the Clippers’ best regular season in the Leonard-George era.
by clayfu
30 Comments
Talk your shit unc ❗️
He’s the leader of that team
Westbrook could still be putting up big numbers on a bad team.
I’m still not a fan of his offense, but his defense and rebounding has been a game changer for the clippers.
He’s playing a great role for so little salary.
Go Russ go!
Naz Reid
MITWestbrook out there somewhere smiling
He’s sending subliminal shots at Klay!!! The playoffs are back, baby!!!
Westbrook of the bench is a cheat code for the clippers
Perfect fit, clippers lacked a leader with a strong voice. PG said it himself. He’s also great when not making 41 mil to handicap your teams cap 🙃
Russ killing his role
Westbrook just needed a team that fit him and a more appropriate salary
They were amazing for a stretch of like 21 games
Then lost Westbrook and sucked
Got him back and they’re great again
And I reading that right?
His effort and hustle are seen through his defense, rebounding and pushing the pace. Really helps energize the team when they typically tend to fall into lulls. I am happy that Russ has accepted this role and contributes to winning.
WESTBROOK FEUDING WITH NORM, CLIPPERS LOCKER ROOM TOXIC
Felt like just a few years ago Russ was destined to be iverson 2.0 but he’s handled the twilight of his career about as well as you could ask for
Naz Reid.
This is an exercise in understanding that efficiency doesn’t have to be the one and only thing defining how valuable a player can be.
McConnell
Monk would like a word haha
He’s good at basketball, everyone.
TALK THAT TALK RUSS
It’s that time in the media cycle where we pump up the clippers?
I was so wrong about the harden trade. This team is really good when healthy
Luka has to beat the Clippers for his arc this playoffs. This is his “Bad Boy Pistons”
It makes me so happy to see him fully bought-in and thriving in his role. Dude is a great teammate and person. When Russ is happy, I’m happy.
Props to him! Being on the bench takes a hit to your ego. I hope LAC make it all the way
Naz Reid
The TJ McConnell slander cannot be born