Clippers Head Coach Believes Former UCLA Star Saved Their 2023 Season
The Los Angeles Clippers came across a gold mine in the 2022-2023 NBA season when Russell Westbrook become available for the minimum after he was dealt away from the city-rival Lakers at the trade deadline. LA was in desperate need of a point guard due to John Wall not really working out the way they envisioned and Terrance Mann working better as a cutting option.
But lucky for them, the former UCLA star was voiced for by numerous team veterans and he found his way onto a new team in the same city. In 21 regular season games with the Clippers, Westbrook was able to average 16 points, seven assists and five boards as he helped will the team into the playoffs despite stars being hurt.
Both Kawhi Leonard and Paul George were unable to take the floor together in the first round of the 2023 playoffs against the Phoenix Suns but Westbrook made sure to keep the games as competitive as possible. He boosted his stat line to 23 points, seven boards and seven assists as the Clippers fell short to Phoenix in five games.
However, LA would have lost all life without Brodie and he won back a ton of respect he'd lost over the past two years. Head coach Tyronn Lue recently appeared on the 'All The Smoke' podcast and revealed that he believes Westbrook helped saved their season.
"I love Russ. From Day 1. ... What he did for our season... he saved us. [Paul George] goes down & he went to another level. I can be real with him, he can be real with me."
(Via Clutch Points)
Westbrook will be returning to the Clippers next season and the entire Bruins community will always be rooting for him!
