The Warriors’ Total Disrespect For Russell Westbrook's Jump Shot Will Put Your Brain In A Pretzel
This is so hilarious on so many levels. How cathartic must it feel for the Warriors to be playing against a lead guard like Russell Westbrook and to roll out a twist like this to the hardwood. All those practice hours trying to stop Steph Curry, the GOAT shooter. Then in an actual game, you get something like this? What a treat, right?
When I was trying to screenshot, it was hard to even fit where Draymond Green was standing in relation to Westbrook. In related news, the latter bricked all five of his 3-point attempts, and made only three of 12 shots from the field in a 115-91 loss.
It's a real reminder and microcosm more or less of why Steph and the Warriors are where they are and why Russ and the Clippers are together in collective misery at the moment. Russ has always had one speed, which is full-go. You respect it. He obviously achieved superstardom and triple-double records in large part due to that trait. However, let's face it, Russ' shot selection and decision-making have been erratic for his entire career. He's never really adapted.
It was kind of stunning that he didn't heave up some wild shot when he was given approx. 50 feet of real estate to let it go. I'm so used to laughing when shit like this happens and my mind couldn't handle the fact that the relentless Russell Westbrook was backing down and weirded out by the whole situation. Like he couldn't have had more room to shoot. Still didn't do it.
As for the decision for the Clips to acquire him in the first place? Feels like a desperate "final piece" move by a franchise trying so hard to bring home their first championship. Meanwhile, they build an 11-point halftime lead on the road despite Russ' inability to shoot, and then get blown off the floor after the break.
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It actually would be neat for the Clippers to overcome the dysfunction and losing ways of the Donald Sterling ownership era. Steve Ballmer really cares. The luxury tax is an afterthought. Kawhi Leonard and Paul George are two of the best wings in the NBA. Lots of depth. Tyronn Lue is one of the better coaches going right now. Lots to like.
IDK…just feels like something is missing, and by acquiring Westbrook, there might've been more subtraction by addition on that move rather than any net positive. Kawhi has improved as a playmaker to the point where he can run the offense, and the same is true for George. Getting another ball-dominant guy who can't shoot from the perimeter like Westbrook doesn't make a ton of sense.
At least when this was happening to Rajon Rondo, he had multiple future Hall of Famers flanking him, plus wizard-esque passing skills and excellent defense to fall back on. For Russ there's no easy escape. The pressure is cranked up for him to win a championship and cement his legacy as one of the best players of his generation. He'll always be considered as much, yet without any real signature moments in the postseason, that's a big hole on his resume for now.
Good news is, Ben Simmons somehow has it far worse than Russ when it comes to shooting the basketball. If that's, uh…any consolation whatsoever.
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Twitter @MattFitz_gerald/TikTok