As the Clippers continue to rise up the Western Conference standings, Russell Westbrook continues to add validation to his already illustrious career. According to Kawhi Leonard's agent in China, the Hall of Fame point guard is experiencing a revival on the Clippers this season that has him more locked in than ever before.
"Honestly, when I first started as a reporter, I wasn't particularly fond of Westbrook. He was also quite unfriendly to the media," she wrote. "But then, Adams told me Westbrook became like this because he initially was very polite and friendly with reporters, but felt betrayed when they misreported, losing all his trust in the media, affecting his attitude towards them. However, since coming to the Clippers, Westbrook has been genuinely happy, always in a great mood, and is always the earliest to train, arriving at least 3 hours before the game, even before the staff, with an undeniable work ethic."
Life hasn't been easy for Westbrook since leaving the Thunder and he struggled to find a home for years before landing an opportunity with the Clippers. But now, Russ has found his final team and he's making the most of the time he has left.
Disaster In Los Angeles
After failed stints with the Rockets and Washington Wizards, Russell Westbrook was sent to the Lakers in 2021. Initially, there was optimism about what he could do alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis, but that optimism turned to doubt when the Lakers struggled to win games throughout that season and were even worse to start the 2022-23 campaign. In 130 total games for the Lakers, Westbrook averaged 17.4 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 7.2 assists per game on just 43% shooting.
In short, the Westbrook experiment was a total disaster for the Lake Show and it was a failure on multiple fronts for the organization. It was a poor fit from the start and at the end of it, Westbrook was the one who received most of the blame. By the time he was finally traded from the Lakers, there were questions if he would ever sign a long-term contract again.
New Era For The Clippers
Westbrook chose the Clippers after a buyout from the Jazz last season and it's proving to be the right choice for everyone. For Russ, he's thriving in a reduced role with the Clips, and running the second unit of one of the deepest teams in the league has made him a valuable member of the rotation. For the Clippers, having Westbrook there to push the pace and keep the intensity up at all times has bolstered their offense to a new degree. Now, with James Harden added to the mix, they are shaping up to be a major playoff threat in the West.
Right now, no matter how far the Clippers end up going, they have a chance to beat any opponent at full strength. If they can avoid injuries and secure home-court advantage in the postseason, this Clippers team could make history and shake off the bad omens that have plagued the franchise for decades. Westbrook, for better or worse, will be a part of the journey this season and beyond.
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