Kawhi Leonard Assesses Russell Westbrook’s Spell With the Clippers So Far

Kawhi Leonard Assesses Russell Westbrook’s Spell With the Clippers So Far

Edwin Kiplagat
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:27 PM
  • Kawhi Leonard is pleased with what he has seen from new LA Clippers player Russell Westbrook
  • The 2017 MVP is looking to win an NBA title with a star-studded Clippers squad
  • Westbrook had a tumultuous first half of the season but is looking to rediscover his mojo

Russell Westbrook is still settling in at LA Clippers. The team has gone 0-3 since acquiring the 2017 MVP following a contract buyout with the Utah Jazz.

Kawhi Leonard, the best player on the team, has assessed his performances so far and has nothing but praise for the veteran point guard.

Russell Westbrook, Paul George, Kawhi Leonard, La Clippers
The Clippers are 0-3 since Westbrook made his debut. Photo by Harry How.
Source: Getty Images

Westbrook made his debut in the epic 175-176 defeat to the Sacramento Kings, pouring in 17 points and 14 assists in 39 minutes before he fouled out.

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His second game was against the Denver Nuggets; he scored 17 points then scored 14 points and dished out ten assists against the Minnesota Timberwolves in their last game.,

What Leonard said about Westbrook

Paul George openly recruited his former Oklahoma City Thunder teammate and said he was a player he would love to see win an NBA title.

Leonard is happy with Westbrook's contribution so far.

"I think he's doing a good job," Leonard said of Westbrook. "He's playing both ends of the floor, running and getting us the ball in our spots, being aggressive in his moments, knocking down shots, getting to the paint, kicking out, so he's playing good," via SI.

The LA Clippers only have 18 games left. Given how chaotic the Western Conference is, they'll need to prove their championship credentials soon.

The 34-year-old was traded by the Los Angeles Lakers to the Utah Jazz and then completed a contract buyout before joining the Clippers.

Westbrook is only the second MVP to play for the Clippers since the team moved from San Diego in 1984. Former MVP Bill Walton played for them in 1984-85, per the Athletic.

Westbrook makes history

Sports Brief earlier reported on Westbrook moving into the top 10 in the NBA all-time assists list. He surpassed NBA Hall of Famer Gary Payton.

Chris Paul (third) and LeBron James (sixth) are the only active players in the top 10. Westbrook currently leads all bench players in assists.

The former Oklahoma City Thunder guard now has 8994 assists in his career.

Authors
Edwin Kiplagat photo
Edwin Kiplagat
Edwin Kiplagat has five years of experience in journalism working as a Sports Editor at Africa Insight Communications and ESPN. Edwin Kiplagat is a Bachelor's Degree holder in journalism from the Multimedia University of Kenya.