Clippers ahead Paul George doesn’t imagine the Lakers are the suitable match for former teammate Russell Westbrook.
After the Clippers defeated the Lakers 103-97 on Thursday, George appeared to indicate the Lakers aren’t utilizing Westbrook accurately.
“Fairly frankly it’s not the group that’s geared for him, with the roster that they've,” Westbrook informed ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne. “It’s set to work each methods. He was very simply a 30-10-10 man when he had the keys to the group. You possibly can’t overlook about that.”
Westbrook’s capturing struggles had been on show in opposition to the Clippers Thursday, with the purpose guard ending 0-of-11 from the sphere and 0-of-6 from 3-point vary. He recorded two factors, which got here from the free throw line.
In the identical breath, Paul continued to defend Westbrook, who’s been below heavy scrutiny for his capturing struggles. The All-Star guard has been on the heart of commerce rumors for the reason that summer time, following certainly one of his worst offense performances final season.
“I’m at all times an enormous Russell supporter. I received’t undermine the nice moments we had in Oklahoma,” George mentioned about enjoying collectively in Oklahoma Metropolis for two years from 2017 till 2019. “He was great for my profession. Truthfully, I don’t get the shade or the hate or the stuff that’s thrown at him. He’s probably the greatest gamers to ever play this recreation. It’s exhausting once you’ve obtained the stress they’re placing on him right here.
“…I simply need him to maintain having that pleasure. Hold having that pleasure that enjoyable that’s what makes him particular, the very fact he can do this on a nightly foundation. I hate to see that it doesn’t appear like that’s there for him. However hopefully ultimately it really works out for him in his favor.”
Paul’s feedback got here after he shared public assist for Westbrook in a tweet that learn, “Hold ya sanity Brodie!! You probably the greatest and it ain’t stamped sufficient!!”
Within the postgame Thursday, Westbrook mentioned “strong” when requested to evaluate his efficiency.
Lakers level guard Russell Westbrook and Paul George in the course of the 2019 NBA All-Star Recreation on Feb. 17, 2019 on the Spectrum Middle in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Lakers level guard Russell Westbrook is defended by Clippers ahead Paul George throughout a 119-115 Clippers win at Staples Middle on Dec. 3, 2021 in Los Angeles, Ca.
“Performed exhausting,” he mentioned. “That’s all you may ask for. On to the subsequent one.”
Lakers heart Anthony Davis, together with head coach Darvin Ham, mentioned the Lakers ought to hold capturing, even when pictures aren’t moving into.
“Don’t let missed pictures take away your confidence,” mentioned Davis, who was 2-for-4 from 3-point vary, whereas the remainder of their starters had been 5-for-29. “Hold capturing it, be assured in your shot. They usually’re going to fall. Ain’t nothing you are able to do however hold capturing.
Thursday’s recreation marked the Lakers’ second straight loss to the beginning the season. They had been 10-of-40 from three in Tuesday’s opener, with Westbrook and Davis a mixed 1-or-6 from deep.
LeBron James made it recognized Tuesday that the Lakers are conscious that they’re “not a group that’s constructed of nice capturing.”
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