After his previous stints went horribly wrong, former NBA MVP Russell Westbrook was criticized and ridiculed by fans who were sure that his best days were behind him. The worst of it came as a member of the Lakers when his poor play brought out the worst in the fan base.
But now, as a member of the Clippers, Westbrook has the chance to reshape the trajectory of his career. He played well for them last season, especially during the playoffs, and it encouraged the organization to reach out for an extension this summer. Clearly, Westbrook is important to the team, and Baron Davis recently pointed out that the fans there are actually treating him with the respect he deserves.
“Russ got love from the real people in this city. When you look at LA as an entertainment space, a media source, and what the national media picks up, he didn’t get the attention that he should’ve gotten [with the Lakers]. But he’s always got love here… Him being home is always great,” Davis said, via FanNation. “It’s great for the city, it’s great for the kids, Russ is just a stand up guy. He’s a great player, a legend, and a future Hall-of-Famer.”
“Russ got love from the real people in this city.”
I spoke with Baron Davis, an LA native, who said the media coverage of Russell Westbrook during his time with the Lakers never reflected who he is or what he means to the city.https://t.co/4K5Cj6YgmU
— Joey Linn (@joeylinn_) July 22, 2023
The Clippers didn’t get very far this year thanks to injuries that de-railed their season, but Russ kept them fighting until the very end, and it was his efforts that gave them a fighting chance.
“[Westbrook’s] leadership definitely helped the energy the Clippers played with,” Davis said. “That type of determination and will as a backbone, I think that’s what the Clippers needed, that backbone and that energy source.”
Can The Clippers Win The Title Next Season?
Sadly, the Clippers have never really gotten close to their ultimate goal of winning a championship, but there is still faith in what Kawhi, PG, and Russ can do together when healthy. Plus, if the team is able to add James Harden in the offseason, it could make them the early favorites in the West.
For now, everything rests in the hands of Kawhi. If he can capture the same magic he had in Toronto and his late Spurs years, it could change everything for this franchise… and for Westbrook.
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