Russell Westbrook only started three games with the Lakers this season but that could change when he signs with the other Los Angeles team. Westbrook, who intends to join the Clippers after clearing waivers, will have an opportunity to start, according to Law Murray of The Athletic.
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski confirms in an appearance on NBA Today that Westbrook could be the starter (video link). Terance Mann has been starting for the Clippers, but may be moved to the second unit.
We have more from the Pacific Division:
- Westbrook could clear waivers in time to practice with the Clippers on Thursday and possibly make his debut on Friday, when the team faces Sacramento, according to Andrew Greif of the Los Angeles Times. Clippers players lobbied for the addition of Westbrook and feel he’ll be a better fit with them than he was with the Lakers. The Clippers have seven rotation players shooting 37% or better on 3-point attempts, which should help mask Westbrook’s struggles from the perimeter.
- Suns guard Damion Lee notes that the rotation will be greatly altered in the coming weeks, Duane Rankin of the Arizona Republic writes. Along with trading for Kevin Durant, they have also added T.J. Warren, Darius Bazley and Terrence Ross. Cameron Payne and Landry Shamet are expected back soon from injuries. “If your minutes are reduced, if your minutes are increased, whatever it is, just doing what you do and try to do it at a high level because even when we get Landry back and C-Payne back as well, guys are just going to have to understand that in order for us to be great and accomplish what we look to achieve and look to accomplish, there has to be sacrifices,” Lee said.
- Durant is thrilled that he’ll have Chris Paul feeding him the ball with the Suns, Sam Amick of The Athletic relays. Durant says Paul’s passion hasn’t waned over the years. “I think (it’s) his IQ for the game,” Durant said. “I think his enthusiasm for the game. I think that goes underrated. CP really loves ball. He just likes watching the game, like analyzing. Like going through strategy and stuff. It’s been a week there now (in Phoenix). A couple of practices, a few games, and he is always pulling me to the side, and we’re just talking hoop. So I love that about him. Obviously, on the floor, he can create so much for his teammates and for himself.”
Clippers need to start Westbrook because of ugly defensive bench
If you bench Westbrook, ….
…yes? Go on?
Westbrook starting for the Clippers, and still lacking any type of jump shot ….. just made it a whole lot easier to guard Kawhi and Paul George.
They can be shooting 50% from 3 but as long as Westclank decides to shoot threes it won’t matter. Remember this is the same guy who walked into his first Laker meeting and when told that whoever gets the rebound can bring the ball up court said no no no, I’m RW and I bring the ball up court. He is very headstrong and unless he makes a 180 degree turn from how he has approached the game from the time he came into the league he will be a disaster for any team with championship asperations
The only way Westbrook fits with the Clippers is through the starting line-up. I say limit his minutes and have him focus on what he does best and it may work out ok. I am Clippers fan and I’m a little hesitant about this but I am also not stupid- this team was not on track to make it the Conference Finals. If Westbrook can help the Clippers improve at the end of the game, he will make the Clippers contenders.
I find it very interesting how this signing is split right down the middle. Some people love this signing but others hate it. When I watched the Lakers, Westbrook looked like he was carrying their whole second unit of mediocre players. It’s hard to say what he will look like in a different situation but I hope it works for him. The Lakers were smart to deal him but I also think the Clippers have absolutely nothing to lose by signing him. They weren’t on their way to a championship anyway.
He was arguably the 6th man coming off the bench. The decisions he makes with the ball in his hands in crunch time are maddening . Maybe it will work out for the Clippers but unless Russ finds a way to change his approach I just don’t see it. As a Laker fan it was stresful to watch. Now I can turn my stress to Davis
Terrence Ross dodnt make much sense to me with Phoenix b/c they already had Damion Lee playing that kind of role at the 2/3. They needed someone at the 4 and maybe also at the 3 to replace what they lost there, and also not having Wainright at that 4 spot b/c of his 2 way situation.
Craig should start at the 4, and bazely and okogie are much more important now off the bench around their shooting
*craig at the 3 lol
Clippers will start Russ.
Kawhi misses that many games they will need Russ to play his stuff the stat sheet style.
Off the bench I’d go Mann Gordon Powel Batum and Plumblee. Mann over bones just because he’s a better defender. Bones is more of a scoring and shooting threat but on that second unit Gordon and Powell will be the main scoring options, so I’d rather have that extra bit of defence.
As for the Suns line up
I’d start Torrey Craig. Think they need that unselfish defender who’s happy to be the 5th option on offence. I’d then have TRoss Warren and Bazley all off the bench to give you that scoring and athleticism impact. Think Cam Payne is a really solid fit as the point guard off the bench cause he’s a solid defender and offers a little playmaking and leadership. Then for the back up 5 it’ll be Landale competing with Biyambo. Most the time it’ll be Jock but I think Bismarck will get minutes as the better rim protector.
Hope Josh Okogie and Landry Shamet get minutes from time to time aswell. Competition for places and time will be good going into the playoffs and everyone should be playing their best basketball
Having signed him, yes, of course, you start him (if you intend to give him any role at all, and absent that, you shouldn’t have signed him).
The guys who sold the organization on signing him, and have the gravitas to limit his tendencies to take on a bigger role than his talent, at this point, can handle, are in the starting lineup, PG-13 and Morris, and KL as well. Plus, he really can’t be part of the finishing group here (unless they go without a C). If he ends up being another Ty Lue situational chess piece off the bench, then it was a bad signing.