(Photo : Harry How/Getty Images) LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – Kawhi Leonard (#2), Paul George (#13) and Russell Westbrook (#0) of the LA Clippers have a good time after a timeout through the first half in opposition to the Minnesota Timberwolves at Crypto.com Arena on February 28, 2023 in Los Angeles, California.
Russell Westbrook has embraced a bench function with the Los Angeles Clippers, and the workforce’s stars, Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, are grateful for the 2017 NBA Most Valuable Player’s willingness to make the transfer.
The nine-time NBA All-Star had began each recreation for the Clippers since becoming a member of the workforce in February 2023 till their current recreation in opposition to the Houston Rockets on Friday, November 17.
Westbrook volunteered to come off the bench after their six-game dropping streak since buying star James Harden from the Philadelphia 76ers in the beginning of February.
“For us to go through this stretch of not winning and not knowing how to win with this squad yet, for him to take initiative and be like ‘you know what I’ll sacrifice and I’ll try to make this work and come off the bench’ it just says a lot about him, bro,” George stated on a current episode of his Podcast P present.
Terrence Mann changed the veteran level guard within the beginning lineup, and the Clippers snapped their dropping skid in opposition to the Rockets, 106-100.
Meanwhile, Leonard was additionally appreciative of the sacrifice that the 35-year-old needed to make.
“I think he’s gonna be good. It’s gonna take time for us all to figure it out, but I think he did well. Came in and hit a big three for us and got some stops, great defense,” the two-time Finals MVP stated after the sport in opposition to the Rockets.
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Are the Clippers higher with Westbrook on the bench?
The Clippers secured one other victory, this time in a dominant style with a rating of 124-99 in opposition to Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs on Monday, November 20.
They are actually 2-0 since adjusting to having Westbrook come off the bench. He had an honest efficiency, scoring 10 factors, grabbing two rebounds, dishing six assists, and stealing the ball thrice.
While the workforce’s improved efficiency could also be attributed to Westbrook’s function adjustment, extra components are at play.
With their current roster strikes, the workforce has established two formidable pick-and-roll partnerships, that includes James Harden and Ivica Zubac within the beginning lineup and Russell Westbrook alongside new signing Daniel Theis coming off the bench.
Although there may be room for enchancment within the chemistry between these two duos, it could actually develop into a deadly weapon for the Clippers as soon as they get the grasp of it.
The Clippers signed Theis earlier this week after he cleared waivers, having reached a buyout settlement with the Indiana Pacers.
Theis expressed his frustration about not having a job in Indiana after a standout efficiency for Germany, serving to them win the gold medal within the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup through the offseason.
The Clippers are wanting good now, and solely time will inform if they’ve sufficient firepower to beat out the remainder of their Western Conference rivals.
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