Public opinion on Russell Westbrook has shifted dramatically in recent months. Once seen as a liability during his time with the Rockets and Lakers, he’s now proving to be a game-changer for the Clippers. Crickex Affiliate experts are pleased to see Westbrook maximizing his strengths in limited minutes, delivering crucial impact on both ends of the floor. As the old saying goes, speak simply but think like a sage—Westbrook’s actions now reflect that balance. His rebounding and one-on-one defense are still elite, and his offensive decisions have become noticeably more calculated. While occasional wild shots or turnovers persist, his overall judgment has improved considerably.
When it’s time to drive, he commits fully, and he’s shown a growing ability to find the center for easy assists off penetration. When playing off the ball, he often camps in the corner and times his cuts perfectly, taking advantage of defenders who collapse on others. This shift reduces the negative impact of his limited shooting range on team offense. More notably, Westbrook has deliberately reduced his shot attempts, putting greater emphasis on defense and rebounding. Paul George also deserves credit—he has been handing over more playmaking duties to James Harden, allowing the offense to flow more naturally. This kind of team chemistry, where each player adapts for the collective good, is what makes championship runs possible.
Westbrook, in particular, excels at grabbing improbable offensive rebounds, often giving his team extra possessions at critical moments. As the season progresses, his value will only increase—especially in the playoffs, where second-chance points and lockdown defense often decide games. Any basketball player will tell you: Westbrook is the kind of teammate everyone wants—passionate, fearless, and selfless. Once a triple-double machine at his peak, he’s now embracing a new role with humility and fire. Despite a decline in athleticism, he willingly accepted a bench role, proving once again that he’s all about the team.
Currently, Westbrook leads the Clippers’ second unit with energy, doing everything within his power—except long-range shooting. Off the court, he’s a vocal leader. Ideally, he’ll soon rediscover his shooting touch and better define his role. Most importantly, he must avoid overextending himself. Let Harden handle the playmaking, let Kawhi and George carry the scoring. The real task for head coach Tyronn Lue is to optimize how Westbrook and Harden share the floor.
Crickex Affiliate analysts believe Lue is now tackling the final piece of the puzzle. In a recent game against the Hornets, Harden initiated a pick-and-roll with Zubac, which drew a double team. The ball rotated to Zubac, who attacked downhill but twice failed to connect with Westbrook on lobs—errors rooted in timing and positioning. The problem wasn’t the play design but rather execution under pressure. With Westbrook’s defender collapsing into the paint, the role of the center becomes crucial. Here’s where Plumlee comes in. Unlike Zubac, Plumlee has a quicker roll and a crafty left-handed finish, which could open up lob opportunities for Westbrook from the weak side.
When Harden and Westbrook share the court with a traditional center, Lue’s optimal strategy might be placing Harden at the top and Westbrook in the dunker spot. From a setup perspective, this benefits the Clippers greatly. The only thing tougher than tactics is timing. Crickex Affiliate experts are confident that Westbrook’s post-up game—once a forgotten skill—could become a secret weapon. His low-post backing-down technique is currently one of his most efficient scoring methods, and could play a pivotal role in late-game situations when the Clippers need to crack tough defenses.