The Los Angeles Clippers desperately need to do something to stop this current skid.
They’re 0-6 since trading for James Harden and have dropped five consecutive games with him on the floor.
Of course, blaming Harden alone for this tough streak would be unfair and inaccurate, but it’s more than evident that something has to change.
That’s why Russell Westbrook has decided to swallow his pride and take a step back so the team can go forward.
According to a report by Chris Haynes (via NBACentral), the former MVP has requested to come off the bench for Tyronn Lue’s team.
BREAKING: Russell Westbrook has requested to come off the bench, per @ChrisBHaynes
Real leadership 🙌 pic.twitter.com/UoYYOE38nO
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) November 17, 2023
Needless to say, that speaks volumes of his leadership and how bought-in he is with the organization.
Also, it just made Lue’s life a lot easier, as he may have been thinking about benching Westbrook but perhaps didn’t want egos to get hurt and trouble to start brewing in the locker room.
Truth be told, this is what should’ve happened from day one.
Westbrook has already embraced that role, and he’ll give the Clippers an instant offensive spark in the second unit, as opposed to just standing in the corner while Harden dribbles the ball for much of the shot clock.
Having Westbrook coming off the bench gives the Clippers the best second unit in the league, not to mention the fact that they can stagger the minutes so they always have at least two of their stars on the floor together at all times.
Props to Westbrook for doing this, and things can only get better now.
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