Clippers decide to bring Russell Westbrook off the bench

Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue recently made a surprising move by deciding to put guard Russell Westbrook with the second unit. This sudden change was discovered by the Clippers players during practice on Thursday morning. They noticed Westbrook switching his practice jersey to the white side, indicating that he would now be a part of the reserves.

The decision to bring Westbrook off the bench had been in the works since the day before as the team was facing a losing streak. Some within the organization had an inkling that changes were being considered, and the confirmation came after the Clippers lost their sixth consecutive game. Having Westbrook come off the bench was discussed in a meeting between Westbrook and Lue before Thursday’s practice.

Westbrook’s place as a starter will be taken by Terance Mann for the next game against Houston. Since returning from an injury, Mann had been adjusting to a new role despite the challenges brought about by the recent addition of James Harden to the lineup. This shift resulted in a noticeable decrease in Westbrook’s playing time, raising questions about how both Harden and Westbrook would fit together on the court.

However, both players have shown support for each other, with Harden acknowledging that the team will need Westbrook’s prowess in driving to the basket and playmaking abilities. As for the team’s strategy, the Clippers had initially aimed for Westbrook and Harden to play in the same backcourt, utilizing Harden’s playmaking skills and Westbrook’s intensity in the first unit. However, the dynamics didn’t quite play out, leading to adjustments in the team’s lineup.

This sudden change in the team’s dynamics echoes the sentiment of starting over. The Clippers have always been confident in their decision to pair unique talents together, and Westbrook’s new role is seen as a beneficial step to shake things up for the team.

Source: Los Angeles Times.

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Emily Turner

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