NBA Point Guard #3: Russell Westbrook, Los Angeles Clippers
Whether it be due to Phoenix’s acquisition of Bradley Beal cutting chances of a third run with Kevin Durant or
As funny as the statement may have been a year ago today or maybe even five months ago, Russell Westbrook should have a number of suitors this July. His scapegoated-Laker duties were put to bed once he made up for it as a great fit coming over to the Clippers via a whirlwind of midseason transactions.
Anything that went negative for that Lakers team, we knew who was getting the blame. It was somewhat the opposite for LA’s other team.
With the Clippers, Westbrook’s field-goal percentage went from 41.7 to 48.9%, 29 to 35% from the outside. Russ started in all 21 of his contests. His 23.6 points, 7.4 assists, and 7.6 rebounds in the first round vs. Phoenix will be guaranteed to turn some heads, with the Clippers having an urge to bring him back. Where it began was the historic matchup his debut took place in at home against the Sacramento Kings. Russ had a vintage 17 points, 14 assists, and five boards led by big shots and plays in a double-overtime, video game-like exhibition, falling 176-175.
People also started realizing toward the end of the Laker flashes that yeah, the PG was not at the typical standard we last saw in Washington, but Westbrook did his job. Not deserving of the LAL scapegoat prior to their post-deadline turnaround, Russ averaged 23 for over two weeks in January with 7.7 rebounds and 7.9 assists in his last moments as a Laker. In addition to his 49 FG%/38.1 3P% splits.
In recent weeks, it has been unorthodoxly reported that the New York Knicks are the betting favorite to land Russ. Now, that has likely swayed differently with other teams in the mix.
Rivers being out for Nurse, we won’t know until the beard inks a paper. No one has forgotten about MVP Harden. One of the best shows and scorers in the history of basketball could be one of the hungriest pillars in the league in terms of winning.
Any organization is and will be grateful to have a beard for any role. Ask fellow historian and good friend Daryl Morey, who did not even blink when it came to reuniting with the Sixers. No matter what negative trend was sticking at the time. Flaws, public embarrassment, and above all, poor leadership that has improved.
The accurate prediction as of today still remains that there is a good chance Harden lands back with the Rockets.