12 March 2023 , 21:26
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It didn't quite work out for Russell Westbrook at the Los Angeles Lakers, but there was a sense of optimism when he joined noisy neighbours Los Angeles Clippers in February.
The former NBA MVP left behind the likes of LeBron James and Anthony Davis, and joined an exciting roster made up of Kawhi Leonard and Paul George. Westbrook may have only just joined the Clippers, but he's determined to make things work and also do all that he can for his new team-mates.
Leonard is back to his best after shaking off a troubled injury period, and the Clippers are starting to win again after five-straight losses following Westbrook's arrival. Westbrook has already earned the respect of his team-mates, and he's pledged to have Leonard's back this season.
Speaking in a recent interview, Westbrook said: "Kawhi's great, I mean I've known Kawhi from the outside just being in LA. He's great, competes and plays the game at a high level and that's all you can ask for."
Unlike some NBA stars, Leonard is known for being on the quieter side across socials, not actively getting involved in spats or really speaking out on how he's feeling. This isn't a problem for Westbrook, who's claimed to have his back.
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"He don’t gotta talk. I can talk for him. I talk enough for everybody," Westbrook added. "Anything he needs from me he knows I have his back. And that’s vice versa."
Leonard is clearly happy to have Westbrook on the team, and spoke highly of the point-guard following his instant impact. "Russ is going to do what we need to do to execute on the offensive end," Leonard said.
"It's not really his role to just role, I just keep preaching that he's being himself, he's been doing a great job, he's helping us."
Fellow team-mate George even went as far as to say that Westbrook is "one of the best point guards ever" after he moved ninth on the all-time NBA assists list. "He's a Hall-of-Famer. One of the best point guards ever," George said.
"Not one player you can compare him to, he's just kind of made his own lane and been special in that lane. He's up there with the greats, he's in conversations with the best to ever do it."