Russell Westbrick Discussion: Clipper Gonna Clip

Yeah. Russ is in a tough spot. He needs to play well for a new contract. We'll see how he responds.

If he contributes on defense that will be a big step in the right direction.

 

Yep.

 

So the flip side to the scenario I mention is he plays with the starters but beasts on D and then we can afford a Nunn or Schroder off the bench, either way, our depth is greater if Ham gets Russ to play along with the (his) plan. It really changes things dramatically because our depth sucks if we have the Russ of last season. If Russ won't or can't be that defensive monster we need, then he can run with the bench and play his numbers game.

 

I sure hope he gets beat out by Nunn as a starter because we need someone else who can shoot in there.

 

Yes we are horrible when our big 3 shoot 19% 29% and 35%

I really, really, really hope someone has disillusioned AD about his 3pt shooting. Every summer I hear he's working hard on it, well if is working hard on then he really is god d*** terrible

 

According to Rob yesterday, he’s cleared.

 

Still with Schroder pick-up, guys out a whole year usually need a few months of NBA play to get back their groove. If Nunn gets a move to starter it will come later. He's young so maybe he gets his legs and rhythm back quickly, we'll see. We have plenty of need on the bench whether or not Westbrook comes off it.

 

I would have to play it back, but I'm almost certain that Rob said that Nunn was cleared for contact (not 5 on 5). 5 on 5 came up in the Nunn presser but as a question about prep and maintenence with the trainers on how to get his body right and even then it wasn't really confirmed that 5 on 5 is a thing he's able to do today, moreso how do they get you ready for 5 on 5 (their plan could be to have him ready for 5 in 5 by May).

 

Russ had a good interview today. Seemed much different. Coach Ham said he was full of energy and looking good. Reality is if Russ will work hard and keep a good attitude he should be able to earn a starting spot. His talent is hard to deny if he puts in the work. I hope he stays with it. I'm not ready to forget last season over one good day but it is sure better than a day that sucks.

 

The guy has been at the team facility all offseason with the young guys. He's even been playing pickup ball this summer, something he never does. He is absolutely going to start, I guess we'll see how it turns out.

 

Well what is it Rob? Is it 5x5 or 3x3 or 0x0? Nunn declared himself fully recovered and healthy earlier this summer, he was supposedly ok for 5x5 some time ago and now it turns out he wasn't. This up/down of recovery here means one thing, not healed. The injury keeps re-flaring up and showing itself, likely in the form of pain only but in any case, not healed. Rob is trying to maintain perceived value on Nunn in the chance of needing him in a Westbrook trade. No one, neither Ham nor any teammates or Rob is talking about him Nunn and hyping him like last year.

 

I have confidence in coach Ham. If he starts Russ he will have earned it and that will be great for our team. A focused bought in Russ having fun can only be a good thing. He is here, lets get the best out of him. With Coach Ham I just don't see the issues of last season getting us. I do not believe he will stand for it.

 

dude will be our best player this year

and we're likely a top 4 team in the west if the big 3 stay healthy

the rest.....we'll see

 

https://www.theringer.com/nba/2022/...stbrook-los-angeles-lakers-2022-training-camp

hadn't seen this yet. kind of a puff piece about russ, but it's hopeful at least.

 

That's been pretty much been his MO, for his entire career, as far as the FO's view of him. The role players and staff seems to have a high view of him too. However he does seem to like to be surly and troll the media a lot. That will backfire on you if your not playing well.

 

yeah, not to rehash stuff for the 1000th time, but a lot of what he did in the media last year wasn't trolling them--it was revealing his real motives.

ironically, this is why his media sessions have been encouraging so far this year: he's demonstrated that he'll say catastrophically problematic things, and he's not currently doing that. baby steps if it's just PR. but the optimistic take is that he tells his truth always, and that would mean that his truth has shifted.

 

Westbrook has a big ego at the end of the day and high expectations of himself. It’s going to be interesting to see this early part of the season unfold and see if the ego and expectations can be turned towards defence, cutting off the ball and playmaking with the second unit. That’s what the team needs from him and if he can do those 3 things at a high level, he can return to all star form.

I’m not sure if it can happen (I was one of the posters who said to get the best out of Westbrook you have to play more through him), and it’s kind of the antithesis of how he has played his NBA career. Ham deserves COY if it does though.