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The time is now for Russell Westbrook and the Clippers

By Rob Greene

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 24: Russell Westbrook #0 of the LA Clippers reacts to a Clipper lead during a 176-175 double overtime loss to the Sacramento Kings at Crypto.com Arena on February 24, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 24: Russell Westbrook #0 of the LA Clippers reacts to a Clipper lead during a 176-175 double overtime loss to the Sacramento Kings at Crypto.com Arena on February 24, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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Feb 24, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; LA Clippers forward Paul George (13) and guard Russell Westbrook (0) react against the Sacramento Kings in the first half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 24, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; LA Clippers forward Paul George (13) and guard Russell Westbrook (0) react against the Sacramento Kings in the first half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

Westbrook’s impact on the Clippers

As the forefront of the Lakers second unit, Westbrook put up 15.9 pts, 6.2 rebounds and 7.5 assists while shooting 41 percent. He is the first Clippers point guard to average six or more assists since Chris Paul in the Lob City era.

The Clippers are 27th in assists in their last 15 games prior to Westbrook’s debut on Friday night. They have been planted within the bottom-20 all season. They are seventh in three-point shooting and 21st in field-goal percentage. Through the last 15 contests in that aspect, LAC is fifth in three-point percentage and 13th in field goal percentage. Those rankings have a chance of rapidly rising through these last 20 games with Westbrook blended in as the floor general the Clippers needed.

At 22.5, 7.3 rebounds and 8.4 assists for his career, since his MVP-talks and reign began battling with James Harden and Steph Curry for the award in 2014-15, Westbrook leads the league in assists with 9.4.

Complementing the 2018-19 season where George was a top-three MVP nominee, Russ’ numbers were also enhanced during the latter half of the season. As his numbers were constantly off the charts in a Thunder uniform, George also brought the best out of Westbrook.

In March of 2019, Westbrook averaged 26.6 points,10.2 rebounds and 9 assists shooting while shooting 47.5% operating with side-by-side with George. In April? He put up 24.2 points, 14 rebounds and 13.6 assists. Of course, Kawhi Leonard was not in the picture, but this can foreshadow Westbrook and George’s effects on each other.

Norman Powell is another shot creator that will benefit from Westbrook’s ability to set the tempo. His former UCLA teammate can be more of a spot-up shooter boosting the teams numbers there despite his ability to put the ball on the floor and attack on every level. Hence him leading all bench players in points per game and total points scored.

“I would just say, he’s on the precipice,” Brian Windhorst told Scott Van Pelt on SportsCenter the night the Lakers finally shipped Westbrook. “Because I know he puts up good numbers, but, he can’t shoot and he doesn’t always contribute to winning and he’s not a strong defender. It’s not a guarantee he’s gonna have a bunch of time left here. He’s really sort of running out of chances in his NBA career.”

Next. Takeaways from the Kings and Clippers’ record-setting game. dark

The Clippers were unable to get the job done on Westbrook’s debut with the team, but he did look like a great fitting piece, maybe the last they needed to the puzzle. If all holds well and Westbrook continues to ignite this franchise and the fans, there is no reason for fans not to believe the Clippers can make their long-awaited run to the NBA Finals.

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