The Los Angeles Clippers are having a major improvement in their performance, mainly because of the selfless decision of Russell Westbrook to come off the bench. This strategic shift happened after a challenging start to their season, especially after the acquisition of James Harden.
Westbrook’s move to a bench role has allowed for a more balanced and effective utilization of the team’s talent. His willingness to play as a sixth man, a role he adopted in previous seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers and briefly with the Utah Jazz, has opened up new possibilities for the Clippers’ offense.
The Clippers are 2-0 since moving Russell Westbrook to the bench. pic.twitter.com/6Yf33ht6Pa
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) November 21, 2023
This change has led to consecutive wins for the Clippers, including a dominant 124-99 win over the San Antonio Spurs. Westbrook’s impact was notable in this game, making a huge contribution in his time on the court. His ability to focus on defense and playmaking with Paul George has improved the team’s overall performance, proving the effectiveness of his new role.
Tyronn Lue breaks silence on Russell Westbrook’s playing time
Clippers coach Tyronn Lue has recently addressed the topic of Russell Westbrook’s playing time. Following Westbrook’s request to come off the bench, Lue has been observing the team’s dynamics and figuring out the best rotation strategy. His comments came after the Clippers’ recent win against the Houston Rockets, where Westbrook played an important role despite his limited minutes.
“Just trying to find our way as far as rotations and we had a plan in place of what we wanted look at and how we wanted to do it.” Lue stated.
Lue stated that they are still experimenting with the best combinations. He also pointed out the positive impact of Westbrook’s decision, especially when he was on the floor with Paul George and Kawhi Leonard.
With the reduced playing time of Russell Westbrook, Lue’s strategy mainly involves leveraging the strengths of George, Leonard, Harden, and Ivica Zubac, with either Terance Mann or Norman Powell completing the lineup. This approach has revived the team’s performance and also highlighted Westbrook’s adaptability.
Kawhi Leonard says Russell Westbrook is making a noticeable sacrifice
Kawhi Leonard, one of the important players in the Clippers’ lineup has appreciated Westbrook’s decision to come off the bench. Leonard, known for his own experiences with sacrifice during his time with the San Antonio Spurs, highlighted the importance of Westbrook’s move and its impact on team.
“It’s a very noticeable sacrifice that he’s making,” Leonard said. “Just because he’s not starting. If he makes that leap like that, it shows us and other teammates that are sitting on the bench that we all can sacrifice ourselves.”
Leonard emphasized that Westbrook’s decision to adjust his role for the betterment of the team has set an example for his teammates. He noted that such a change from a player of Westbrook’s caliber sends a strong message about the importance of collective success.