The Los Angeles Clippers are going through a rough patch after their team suffered a humiliating loss at the hands of the Indiana Pacers. While they are still poised to finish in the automatic playoff positions, consecutive defeats against playoff-caliber teams don’t spell well for their title hopes once the postseason begins.
The team is scrambling to get it together for a late-season push, and they’re trying various approaches to the dilemma. James Harden was up to his usual shenanigans while Tyronn Lue didn’t hold back in criticizing the team.
Russell Westbrook tried to be the good cop in this situation and asked the team to pool together and focus on their upcoming games.
Russell Westbrook wants the Los Angeles Clippers to focus on finishing the season strong
Russell Westbrook was asked what he would be saying after the Clippers lost to the Pacers, 133-116. He replied that this is the perfect time for the entire team to band together and focus on making a great playoff run.
Per Fadeaway World’s Vishwesha Kumar:
“I think, man, one, you don’t point fingers, you don’t point blame, you don’t, that’s something how I lead, I don’t… Look within ourselves and figure out how we can better help our team.”
“I think that’s where we start. We start with ourselves. I start with myself. And then we come together collectively and figure out how we now bring what we all have and bring to the table. As we’ve seen, when we’ve done it the right way, it shows that we’re a hard team to stop.”
“And we know what our ceiling is, we know how we need to get there. And I think ultimately, as a leader, it’s my job just to hold guys accountable, hold myself accountable, and make sure that we stay together through this tough little patch that we’re having. And to me, it’s simple as that.”
The 15-year veteran is speaking from a place of experience. He’s led teams through playoff runs during his time with the Oklahoma City Thunder. While his stint with the Houston Rockets and Los Angeles Lakers haven’t been as equally as productive, it’s a testament to the value he brings to the Clippers locker room.
Will the Clippers gain homecourt advantage before the season ends?
The Los Angeles Clippers need to get their act together if they want to gain homecourt advantage during the first round of the playoffs.
They have a tough schedule in the final eleven games of the season. Aside from a rematch with the Sixers, they will be facing the Sacramento Kings, Denver Nuggets, and the Cleveland Cavaliers. They also have back-to-back games against the Phoenix Suns and will finish the season with the Houston Rockets.
While the team is still loaded with Kawhi Leonard and Paul George leading the team, they need to get their act together and win the season’s final games.
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