Coming off a toxic relationship with the Lakeshow, Russell Westbrook is hoping for a smoother tenure with Paul George, Kawhi Leonard, and the LA Clippers.
While there are still a lot of questions about Westbrook’s role and fit with the team, Russ is already fighting back against the narrative that he’s bad for the locker room.
In one of his first practice sessions with the Clippers today, Russ was all smiles as he got the first taste of his new surroundings. In a clip that has gone viral on Twitter, Russ was even captured trash-talking one of his new teammates (Marcus Morris) as he drained 30-straight threes.
Russ waited for Marcus Morris to miss… but he made 30 straight three's
Russ: “I’ll wait” 😂
(via @swishcultures_)pic.twitter.com/UUhrsqSNtW
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) February 23, 2023
When people talk about Westbrook’s game, this part of his package often goes unnoticed. As inconsistent as Russ can often be on the court, he’s the type of guy that instills a winning culture in the locker room, and he’s made a massive impact in that way before.
Of course, things are different for Westbrook now. He’s no longer a star capable of carrying a team, and he will not average a triple-double, but he brings a level of competitive spirit that can really bring the best out of his teammates.
Can Clippers Win A Title With Westbrook?
The Clippers certainly look good on paper, but there are some serious concerns about their chances to win in April, May, and June. Besides their two tops guys always missing games for one reason or another, adding Russ has the potential to seriously mess with the chemistry and cohesion of the ball club.
“It’s a blessing, man. You know, at least for me,” said Westbrook. “I have been in different places and in so many different ups and downs in my career. To have people that support you across the world, I’m truly grateful and thankful for those people. I try my best to go out and compete and be loyal to them as they’re loyal to me.”
Only time will tell how this stint plays out for Russ, but this could be his last chance to earn a long-term contract. If he fails to succeed with the Clippers, it’s going to be hard for teams to convince themselves he is their missing piece.
Needless to say, it’s championship or bust for LA, and Russ knows more than anyone what’s at stake if they fall short again.
We sincerely appreciate and respect you as a reader of our site. It would help us a lot if you follow us on Google News because of the latest update.
Thanks for following us. We really appreciate your support.
