Addressing the media for the first time since joining the Wizards, Russell Westbrook refused to confirm that he asked the Rockets for a trade, writes Tim Reynolds of The Associated Press.
“I’m here in Washington,” Westbrook replied when asked if he wanted to be traded. “Happy about where I’m at and understanding that this is a new journey for me and understanding how important it is to focus on where I’m at, focus on the team, focus on the organization, the community, the people here.”
Westbrook joined his third team in 17 months this week when Washington acquired him in exchange for John Wall and a future first-round pick. He had mixed results during his year in Houston after being brought in to form an all-MVP backcourt with his long-time friend, James Harden.
Westbrook averaged 27.2 points per game, his best scoring numbers in four years, and was a third-team All-NBA selection. However, his poor outside shooting was an issue throughout the season and he struggled in the playoffs after suffering a quad injury during the restart.
A few weeks after the Rockets were eliminated in the second round, stories emerged that Westbrook and Harden had both asked to be traded. Although he didn’t comment on his relationship with his former teammate, Westbrook told reporters that his methods of motivating himself on the court often cause him to be misunderstood, according to Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPN.
“The way I play the game kind of misconstrues people of who I am as a person, who I am and what I believe in and what I stand for,” Westbrook said. “Obviously, how I play and off the floor are two different people. When I am on the floor, I don’t have any friends, I am not trying to be friendly. … I ain’t got time to try to shake hands and do all that. I don’t have time for it, and I am never changing that.”
Westbrook has played alongside All-Star teammates throughout his career and he’s looking forward to teaming up with Bradley Beal as part of what could become the league’s highest-scoring backcourt. Beal told reporters Friday that he isn’t worried that his new teammate will be “trying to run the show and just do everything by himself,” and Westbrook agrees that they can mesh their talents without conflict.
“I’m super excited about it,” Westbrook said. “Brad is a superstar talent. … My job is to come in and continue to uplift and push him to be better. That is all I am here for. I am happy to be his counterpart and try to make it easier for him.”
Lol….he went to an easier conference….but is still on a crappy team. Not exactly what he was hoping for.
It’s not like Westbrook went to Charlotte or something. Washington has some real talent there. Health has always been their Achilles heel, no pun intended. I think along with Atlanta, Washington can be a surprise team this season. I think the Wizards could easily get the 6 and maybe even higher. Beal is a little below Harden, but not that much below him and the Rockets were a 4 in the tougher West.
For all the ish, no pun intended, Wizards aren’t a terrible landing spot. Now 2 volume scorers, and 2 young forwards that seem promising. Not enough to do anything in the East or West tho. Same situation as a healthy Wall. But at least it’s not Charlotte.
WAS should replace ORL as an EC playoff team.
But the Lamelo-Hayward combo should be fun to watch.
I dont think you even have to squint to see Cha being pretty interesting next year –
A lottery big next year that hits the ground running and some internal strides on the court this season puts Cha on the map next year imo
Can’t be a pun. FYI
Maybe….buts that literally no better than where he was with OKC or Houston in the west. 6-8 seed playoff team and 1 n done out.
Washington has some hope – RWB was All NBA last year and Beal def should have been.
I think Toronto and Indiana are prob worse than last year. Philly and Brooklyn are wildcards. Boston is def worse unless Tatum and Brown take another leap. Milwaukee has a gun to its head.
Washington and Atlanta could both make waves if a few things go their way next year
Beal is a little below Harden, but not that much? Talk about an understatement.
It’s not like we are talking the difference between Harden and some rookie on Atlanta. Beal was arguably the 3rd best SG in the league last year. So yes, not much below Harden. I stand by that.
You should. I prefer Beal over Harden. Beal plays defense and keeps his teammates involved.
Good enough for a first round exit.
Why crap on Charlotte. They were a surprise team last year after Kemba left. The wizards pretty much had beal and no defense. Even signing Hayward i would prolly say the hornets will be better than most expected.
No offense intended. I was just using them as an example because they were the main rumor of where he was headed.
The Hornets were better than expected last season, but I think they were playing above their heads as well. They were not as good as their record last year in my opinion. They could surprise again and make me wrong, it wouldn’t be the first time I have been wrong. Of course I have been correct before too.
Rockets are now Achilles collection clinic
3 Achilles players
Wall
Cousins
Nwaba
5 displeasant players
Harden
Gordon
Tucker
House
Mclemore
1 broken foot at age 35
Gerald Green
Klay has Achilles injury
Trade idea
Warriors get Harden
Rockets get Klay, Wiseman and Wolves first round pick
Prob have to add Wiggins for Gordan too. Klay has a slim possibility to return to all star level.
You know for a fact that all of those players are “displeasant”?
Sounds like RW read comment sections like this.
Smart man
Some of these players won’t man up. If you asked for a trade, admit it.
Beal, Westbrook, Bertans, Avdija, Bryant, Hachimura then a bunch of scrubs. Will probably make the playoffs in the East, but wouldn’t sniff the 8th spot in the West.
Cancer has now arrived in Washington. He and Cryree don’t need 5 on a team. They need to get together because they have enough for 5.
Hey, landing in Washington isn’t that bad a deal! Nice young bench who got a bunch of playing time last year.
Meanwhile Houston’s going to be a dramatic sinkhole until James Harden is traded to Orlando.
Harden will be traded to Utah for D. Mitchell.
Mitchell isn’t getting traded. At least not before Harden hits FA
Harden won’t be a free agent until 2022 at the earliest.
And Mitchell just extended through 2026.
Why should Utah replace a 24 y.o. star with a 31 y.o. one? Plus Mitchell is earning 5M this year, so salaries don’t even match.
Because Harden can get th a ring in the next 2 yrs. Mitchell will need atleast another 2 yrs before he can lead a team to a championship. Further more Mitchells salary will increase this season when his extension kicks in.
Also they can add otger players to match if need be. I didn’t mean it would be a 1 for 1 essentially. I meant they would be the headliners of a potential deal.
You’re too high. Go rest for a while. Harden and championships, don’t go together.
Hey dingleberry no the system Harden was in could not lead to championships. Harden is one of the best offensive weapons the league has seen since Jordan. Stop hating. Ps i wish I did have some good trees. The country I live in doesn’t allow it.
I get that counting stats are no longer en vogue but Russ averaged 27/8/7 next to the highest usage guy in the league following three street seasons of avging a triple double.
Dude can still play. Washington has potential to surprise ppl this year
Wizards have better starters than Hawks
Tier 1
Nets
Bucks
Heat
Celtics
Tier 2
Pacers
Raptors
Wizards
Hawks
76ers
Who will miss playoffs？76ers?
Nobody wants to play with Harden. Even the coaches and GMs are running away. Chris had Rockets competing for finals. Harden couldn’t deal with that. He needs to be the guy. Wall is actually a better mix with Harden. But he needs at least a yr of competition. To get back to some form normal. It’s why I don’t see Harden staying past TD. Nets is the best offer out there. Plus they can add a third team to get more picks. I don’t see a better deal out there. With his contract there aren’t many options out there.
Wizards are better off with Westbrook. They can make playoffs. And if their bigs were play they can do better. Their C position has to play well. Robin Lopez can be steady on D. They will need more. Westbrook is one of fiercest competitors of his generation. Expect him to have a big yr. Wizards have a mix of young and old. Takes time to build team chemistry for a winner. They need another player. Rui, Avdija could grow up quick. Both are nice talents. Wish Westbrook well.
Westbrook will do some damage in the weak east. Wizards will be a playoff team and surprise like the Thunder did last season
The Wizards will surprise as much as the Westbrook and George OKC did two seasons ago.