- Russell Westbrook shone after signing with the Clippers last season
- Westbrook re-signed with the Clippers on a team-friendly deal this offseason
- The former MVP hailed them as an organization that supports its players
Russell Westbrook is having fun again, playing basketball for the Los Angeles Clippers. During an interview with KTLA, Westbrook, who signed a two-year $8 million deal with the Clippers, sang the organization’s praises for supporting the players.
“For me, it almost feels like a fresh start,” Westbrook said. “I’m here in a place where I’m wanted, I’m at home. Amazing fanbase, family’s here, kids are here. I got an amazing organization that supports anything that us as players need and want. I am just excited to be able to get started to make sure that we get off on the right foot.”
"For me, it almost feels like a fresh start… I'm at home… I got an amazing organization that supports anything that us as players need and want."
Clippers guard Russell Westbrook on playing in his hometown of Los Angeles 🔥
(via @KTLA)pic.twitter.com/N0kOfF4au8
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) September 22, 2023
With how rough most of his time with the Los Angeles Lakers was, this would have been a breath of fresh air for Westbrook. The Clippers organization and their fans embraced him while his teammates showed a real sense of appreciation for him as well.
He really felt he was wanted at the Clippers and played well on arrival mid-season in 2022-23. Then in the playoffs, Westbrook put a Clippers team that was without Pau George and Kawhi Leonard (after Game 2) on his back against the Phoenix Suns.
He put in some herculean performances and ended up averaging 23.6 points, 7.6 rebounds, 7.4 assists, 1.2 steals, and 1.4 blocks per game against the Suns. It wasn’t enough to prevent a series defeat in five games, but the 2017 MVP showed there was gas left in the tank.
Kawhi Leonard And Paul George Spoke On Russell Westbrook’s Importance
Considering how well Westbrook played in that series, there were doubts about whether the Clippers could afford to bring him back. The nine-time All-Star, though, was happy to be a Clipper and returned on a team-friendly deal.
It was huge for the team and George explained that re-signing Westbrook was important as he had changed the culture in his short time there. Russ gave that Clippers locker room the jolt that it needed and George is thrilled to have him back.
Leonard also spoke on the significance of Westbrook’s return to the Clippers. He felt it was important to have some continuity and added that the future Hall of Famer’s presence could be big for them.
Russell Westbrook’s Role With The Clippers In 2023-24
Westbrook came off the bench toward the end of his time with the Lakers, but he was a starter from the get-go for the Clippers. There isn’t going to be any change on that front either, as head coach Tyronn Lue spoke on Westbrook’s role with the Clippers next season.
“I view him as a starter, view him as a starter and, you know, kind of just see how it plays out,” Lue said, via The Los Angeles Times. “… We needed his energy, we needed his firepower and so he was really good for us. My vision right now is to stay how we were before PG got hurt and see what happens.”
It will be interesting to see how well all the pieces fit together for the Clippers. Time is running out for them with this core, and they’d be hoping that the addition of Westbrook helps them finally get over the line and win a championship.
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