![]() ![]() The Clippers moved Terance Mann to the bench to make room for Westbrook in the starting lineup as soon as the ink was dry on his league minimum contract. I’m not in their locker rooms or the locker rooms he’s been in, but I know he’s one of the best players historically in the game.” “I’ve always felt like a lot of it was kind of weird. “I’ve never seen an MVP get criticized and marginalized the way he has,” said Phoenix coach Monty Williams, an Oklahoma City assistant during Westbrook’s time with the Thunder. While Durant had shown in Golden State and Brooklyn that he could mold his game around other stars’ needs, there were vocal concerns within the Clippers that Westbrook’s style of play would clash, rather than complement, their stars. He was a former NBA most valuable player, like Durant, who had spent his career as a top option. In stark contrast, few teams seriously entertained rolling out the welcome mat for Westbrook. Even more remarkable, he is 21-1 in his last 22 games dating to December with Brooklyn. Phoenix is 8-0 with Durant in the lineup. Still at the peak of his powers, even after his recovery from an Achilles tendon tear during the 2019 NBA Finals - a severe injury that typically signals the end of a player’s most productive seasons - Durant’s arrival in Phoenix drew several thousand fans to a public introductory news conference in February. Durant has averaged 32.0 points, 8.6 rebounds and 3.7 turnovers while shooting 54% - including nearly 48% on three-pointers.ĭurant arrived in Phoenix just before February’s All-Star break to be the first option on a team already boasting an elite scorer in Devin Booker and setup man in point guard Chris Paul. Their last meeting was in November, when Westbrook was a Laker and Durant a Net.Īs opponents, Westbrook has averaged 28.3 points, 10.1 rebounds, 9.3 assists and 5.5 turnovers while making 42% of his shots. Since Durant left Oklahoma City and Westbrook behind in 2016 to sign with Golden State, he and Westbrook have played against each other 11 times, with Westbrook’s teams holding a 6-5 record. ![]() Clippers ‘Can’t be sleeping right now’: Behind-the-scenes look at NBA playoff preparationĪs the Clippers fight for playoff position, a team of video coordinators, scouts and coaches spend countless hours preparing for a number of scenarios.
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