Although he has become somewhat of a polarizing figure recently, Russell Westbrook of the Los Angeles Clippers has been one of the better NBA players of this era, and he will surely be a first-ballot Hall of Famer after he retires.
He stretched the imaginations of many fans and observers by averaging a triple-double four times in five seasons, despite many thinking it was impossible for a player to do so for just one season, let alone in four.
But the one thing that has eluded him in his 15 seasons is an NBA championship ring.
Oddly enough, since the Los Angeles Lakers traded him in February to the Utah Jazz, who then released him, allowing him to sign with the Los Angeles Clippers, his odds of getting a ring this season have been boosted.
Could Russ get his first ring this year? 💍🤔 pic.twitter.com/tOoPAhGFh5
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) April 12, 2023
One may argue that if the Lakers win the world title this June, Westbrook wouldn’t deserve to get a ring since he left at midseason, but they would likely award him with one, given that they’re a classy organization.
He was initially traded to the Purple and Gold in the summer of 2021, leading many to think the organization had just assembled a superteam around him, LeBron James, and Anthony Davis.
But instead, it missed the play-in tournament last season and was consistently under .500 this season until recently.
The Lakers acquired D’Angelo Russell, Jarred Vanderbilt, and Malik Beasley for Westbrook, and all three players have transformed the team into a very good playoff squad that some feel could go all the way.
Meanwhile, the Clippers have been up and down all year, but they managed to claim the fifth seed in the Western Conference, and they should have a puncher’s chance at the Larry O’Brien Trophy.
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