Will the signing of Russell Westbrook be remembered as a mistake by the LA Clippers?
Heading into the final 18 games of the regular season, the LA Clippers don’t have much time to round into playoff shape. For a team that wants to be viewed as a contender heading into the postseason, there is a level of consistency that the team needs to hit which they have struggled to remain at throughout the season.
And the hope was that the moves made by the team at and after the NBA Trade Deadline would help the team get to that point. And one of the headlining moves for the team was the signing of Russell Westbrook after he was bought out from the Utah Jazz.
At least thus far, it’s hard to look at that move as a success. Especially when you consider that the team hasn’t won a game since the signing.
The LA Clippers have lost three straight games after signing LA Clippers
As a team, in the last three games, the Clippers have been bad (especially on the defensive end). They don’t have a top-10 offense, a bottom-five defense, and a -4.9 net rating. To put those numbers in perspective, the Clippers have had a top-11 defense for much of the season. They have significantly dropped off recently.
In fairness, that could’ve been thrown off by the double overtime game against the Sacramento Kings. Then again, what if you don’t allow 176 points?
It’s unfair to blame the Westbrook acquisition, but he’s been a -4.7 when on the floor during his first three games with the Clippers. Even though his counting stats have been solid – averaging 16 points, nine assists, and six rebounds on 53 percent shooting from the field and 44 percent shooting from 3-point range – I’m not sure that’s the level of usage that you want to fall in love with when it comes to Russ.
Russ in portions has proven to work recently. I’m not sure the Clippers will be able to get by and accomplish what they want to accomplish this season by starting him and playing him 30-plus minutes per game, and possibly more in the postseason.
The Clippers are clearly trying to figure themselves out after the moves they made at the NBA Trade Deadline. Let’s remember – the Clippers aren’t just adding Russ into the fold. LA also acquired Eric Gordon and Bonesy Hyland at the deadline and they’re trying to figure out what roles are going to look like for them.
Maybe the Clippers will figure it out soon and this becomes a meaningless thread. But they’ll have to prove it. And there isn’t much time for the Clippers to do so.