3 Reasons why Westbrook is a great option for the LA Clippers

The move to sign a former MVP in Russell Westbrook was not an easy one for the LA Clippers (33-28). The front office has been very aggressive in their pursuit of a point guard, but has not found the connecting piece to their superstar duo. This has held the franchise back, keeping them away from a record-breaking playoff run.

This season, the LA Clippers tried to make it work with their two rotational point guards, John Wall and Reggie Jackson. This was a failed trial as neither guard possesses the tools needed to boost the Clippers to where they need to be.

The Clippers anticipated adding a traditional point guard like Kyle Lowry or Fred VanVleet, but time was limited during a chaotic trade deadline. Additionally, the asking price of these players was too high as the front office wanted to maintain their core players like Terance Mann and Norman Powell.

With the Clippers nearly out of options, the buyout market was the last chance for them to acquire an explosive guard. Paul George, a former teammate of Westbrook, along with Marcus Morris and Nicolas Batum, publicly advocated for the front office to make the acquisition. They still believe that Westbrook has what it takes to contribute at a high level, despite an underwhelming run with the Lakers.

Moreover, Westbrook is now 34 years of age and is set for one of the last runs of his hall-of-fame career. However, if the LA Clippers hope to succeed with Westbrook, head coach Tyronn Lue must surround him with the appropriate rotations.

The LA Clippers point guard, Russell Westbrook, will be playing with some of the league’s best three-point shooters.

As of right now, the LA Clippers do not need Russell Westbrook to score the ball. Throughout his 15-year career, Westbrook has been a stellar finisher around the rim. His ability to maneuver to the basket, change speed, and control the ball through traffic explains why he holds two scoring titles. He also has a solid mid-range which often goes overlooked when observing his percentages.

However, Westbrook is not the scorer he once was. He has never been the best three-point shooter, but he shot 29.7% from three during his tenure with the Lakers. This is not ideal for a team like the Clippers, as they need players that can space the floor.

While this percentage may seem low, the Lakers didn’t allow Westbrook to reach his full potential. He is at his best when he is surrounded by elite shooters, along with a clear paint to attack. This was the opposite for the Lakers, as they are one of the worst three-point shooting teams in the NBA. In fact, the Lakers’ most effective three-point shooter was Austin Reaves who shot 37.2% through 41 games.

Furthermore, the LA Clippers have plenty of three-point shooters to call up if they are looking for a basket around the perimeter. What’s more, the current roster holds seven players shooting higher than 37% from a distance. This is clearly one of the best situations Westbrook has seen since entering the league. Not to mention their superstar duo of Kawhi Leonard and Paul George will see a number of benefits down the stretch.

Starter or not, Russell Westbrook will hold his ground for the LA Clippers

Although Russell Westbrook is still one of the league’s most athletic guards, he is not a lock to start for the LA Clippers. The main reason why his role is unpredictable is because of the elite production the coaching staff is receiving from Terance Mann. This late in the season, there is no need to disrupt what is already working.

The best option for now would be if Westbrook were to operate with the bench, leaving Mann in the same position to thrive with the starting lineup. What deserves a second look is the rotations that Lue constructs, as Westbrook would shine in a small-ball rotation.

Furthermore, Westbrook can guide the ridiculously loaded bench as he has countless perimeter threats, along with a reliable big man in Mason Plumlee. This will give Westbrook the entire floor to work with, leaving the paint wide open, also allowing him to kick the ball out if he finds himself in traffic.

Additionally, reports were released that Westbrook spoke with the Clippers’ front office and coaching staff. These discussions were centered around his role, and essentially what he brings to the table. Moving forward, allowing Westbrook to play his style of basketball will put the Clippers in a position to win it all.

Nonetheless, in the midst of a ridiculous amount of drama, Westbrook averaged 15.9 points, 7.5 assists, and 6.2 rebounds in 28.7 minutes for the Los Angeles Lakers. While these numbers may pop out, his best attribute is his finishing. He brings a high pace style of play that the franchise has been missing for years.

The LA Clippers need Russell Westbrook’s durability and presence to build chemistry

Russell Westbrook solves the LA Clippers’ biggest issue, which is the ability to stay healthy. The fans have found frustration through the injuries of Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, as well as their tactic to load manage throughout the season.

So far this year, Leonard has played in 34 of the Clippers’ 61 games, while George has played in 44. Moreover, since joining the Clippers, the superstar duo has played a total of 108 games together. This is mind boggling, mainly because Leonard missed an entire year due to a torn ACL.

This pertains to Westbrook as he has appeared in 52 of the Lakers’ 59 total games. This was not the case with John Wall, primarily because of his severe injury history. That said, if a strong level of chemistry is established, Leonard and George may feel the urge to play as much as possible. The only way for this to happen is if the trio shares the court for an extended period of time, prior to the start of the postseason.

Westbrook may be great at numerous aspects, but his play-making sets him apart from others. He is, by far, the most established passer the Clippers have had since the ‘Lob City’ era.  Inserting a talent like Westbrook next to Leonard and George could be a game changer, especially if everything works out in favor of Lue’s game-plan.

Despite playing with one of the greatest players in history, Westbrook’s time with the Lakers is an unfair way to evaluate his impact this late in his career. There is certainly hope for Westbrook, as this was a decision that was encouraged by the players and coaching staff. The deciding factor remains on whether or not Westbrook is willing to adjust his game to help the team win a championship.