Russell Westbrook’s Struggles in Clippers: A Clash of Styles Spells Uncertainty for His Future

Russell Westbrook’s Struggles in Clippers: A Clash of Styles Spells Uncertainty for His Future

Russell Westbrook’s fortunes have hit a downturn with the Clippers, and the prospects of improvement seem bleak in the foreseeable future.

Initially, Westbrook displayed a decent performance at the start of the season, considering his role. Averaging approximately 15 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists while logging around 34 minutes per game as the Clippers’ starting point guard, he contributed positively, reflected in the team’s plus-64 rating during his playing time in those games. Despite not quite reaching his All-Star level, his output exceeded expectations for a 35-year-old earning the minimum salary. However, everything shifted when James Harden joined the team.

In the five games Westbrook started alongside Harden, his field goal percentage plummeted by nearly 10 points, and his scoring, rebounding, and assisting numbers dropped significantly. The team faced a deficit of 27 points during Westbrook’s minutes, even performing worse when he and Harden were on the court together. This led to a reversal, with Westbrook returning to the bench role, coinciding with the team’s improved performance in their initial games after the change, despite Westbrook playing fewer minutes.

In a recent game against the New Orleans Pelicans, Westbrook’s playing time hit a new low as he only saw 14 minutes on the court, marking one of the lowest figures in his career in terms of game time in a non-injury scenario. His limited time yielded three points on 1-of-8 shooting, signaling a significant decrease in his involvement compared to Harden, who played 37 minutes—a strategy likely to continue.

It’s becoming evident that Harden and Westbrook struggle to coexist effectively on the court, a concern that surfaced during their time together in Houston and now confirmed by their poor performance as Clippers teammates. Lineups featuring both players show a staggering minus-17.6 net rating in 241 possessions, emphasizing their incompatible playing styles.

Westbrook’s strength lies in commanding the ball frequently, a strategy that showed promise in his prior stint with the Clippers. However, the team ultimately deemed him inadequate, culminating in the trade for Harden. The Clippers’ decision was rooted in the understanding that Westbrook’s presence meant minimizing Harden or potentially removing him altogether.

While Westbrook’s departure isn’t imminent, signs point to a possible exit if the Clippers don’t alter their strategy to accommodate him. His dissatisfaction with a diminished role and past reluctance to accept such positions, even at the expense of winning, raises questions about his future. If he were to depart, finding a significant role with a championship contender seems unlikely, especially if the Clippers, a team that seemingly embraced him, opt to move on.

While speculation persists, Westbrook’s future remains uncertain. Perhaps his on-ball skills could become vital for the Clippers under altered circumstances, but with each passing game, this scenario seems increasingly improbable. The Clippers have pivoted towards building a team centered around Harden, leaving little room for Westbrook’s inclusion in such a setup.