After a nightmarish passage on the side of the Lakers, then a hook by the Jazz, Russell Westbrook decided not to pack his bags. After playing at UCLA, then at the Lakers, he stayed in Los Angeles to join the other team in the city of angels: the Clippers.
As we entered the last week of the regular season, the chance of the calendar means that these same Clippers (41v-38d) will defend their 5th place in the West against the Lakers, 7th (40v-38d). The last derby of the season takes place on Wednesday, and we imagine that the former MVP will be keen to make some regrets among his former teammates. He assures him that he prefers to concentrate on his role, more than on the adversary.
“It’s an important game for us collectively, and it will probably be an important game for them too. So it’s just going to be a great game.” said Russell Westbrook. “My job is to make sure that we in the dressing room are focused and ready for this game”.
A valued teammate
Clearly, the Clippers have taken a bet by associating Russell Westbrook with the duo made up of Paul George and Kawhi Leonard. Six weeks later, the Clippers are posting a record of 8 wins for 10 losses since the arrival of Westbrook, but Paul George’s knee injury obviously did not help. Despite everything, the former MVP, who has found a starting position, remains positive about his experience at the Clippers.
” It’s awesome “ said Russell Westbrook. “I was able to discover the other players, which allowed me to be myself, to help them and to find ways to succeed on the pitch. Obviously our starting 5 has changed a few times and Paul George’s absence has changed things a bit, but for the most part it’s been great so far, and I’m grateful for that.”.
At the Lakers, his shooting selections were heavily criticized with 42% shooting including 30% at 3-pointers on the season. Since his arrival at the Clippers, the percentages are up with 48% shooting including 32% at 3-pointers. Tyronn Lue asks him to give rhythm, to try to go to the end, and he rather has the free field to lead the game, but also to direct it.
“Honestly, it’s a lot better than I thought and it’s fitting in pretty well so far” thus explained Ivica Zubac on March 6th. “He’s also a great leader. He talks a lot, a quality we needed”.
“When you think of Russ, you think of tireless effort”
Tyronn Lue has sometimes chosen to leave Russell Westbrook on the sidelines at the end of matches, preferring Terance Mann or Eric Gordon to conclude. The Clippers coach really appreciated his attitude: “You see him in the fourth quarter, he’s on his feet, he’s cheering, he’s constantly talking to Terance Mann, the things he sees, he’s talking to me… We need this”.
And when he is on the field, as in the last opposition against the Warriors, he weighs in with his physique and his aggressiveness. “It’s his way of leaving his mark on a match” George had reacted.“There is never a respite. When you think of Russ, you think of relentless effort. »
Tomorrow, the reunion against the Lakers will be one of the major events of the season!
