There hasn’t been a team in the NBA as disappointing as the Los Angeles Clippers the last two weeks. Since acquiring James Harden from the Philadelphia 76ers in a blockbuster trade, the team has found zero success.
The Clippers are riding a six-game losing streak, which is tied with the San Antonio Spurs for the second-longest currently in the league; only the nine-game losing streak of the Detroit Pistons is better.
Everyone knew that it would take time for Los Angeles to gel, adding a ball-dominant player of Harden’s caliber into the lineup isn’t an easy thing to get acclimated to. Looking to speed that process up, point guard Russell Westbrook has requested a change be made to the lineup.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Russell Westbrook, James Harden, Paul George, Kawhi Leonard Los Angeles Clippers Updates
According to Chris B. Haynes of TNT and Bleacher Report, Westbrook has requested that head coach Tyronn Lue shift him to the bench unit. Westbrook believes that will help the first unit build up their chemistry and help get the team on track.
As Haynes noted, Westbrook is a vocal leader for the Clippers and is showcasing his leadership qualities with this request. For his entire tenure with the Clippers, and nearly all of his NBA career, Westbrook has been a starter. But, for the betterment of the team, he wants to come off the bench and help get things on track.
This is a move that his teammates should gain a lot of respect for. It takes a big person and setting your ego aside to suggest a move be made that could lessen his playing time, but if it helps the team win more games, Westbrook is all for it.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Russell Westbrook, James Harden, Paul George, Kawhi Leonard Los Angeles Clippers Updates
Moving him to the second unit is something that should help the team greatly. He isn’t a great fit alongside Harden, Paul George and Kawhi Leonard as the ball isn’t in his hands much. His skill set is not conducive to playing off the ball as he isn’t a great perimeter shooter. Off the bench, the ball will be in his hands much more, which he needs to make a positive impact on the court.
With Harden more than capable of playing the starting point guard role, Lue could turn to P.J. Tucker to round out the starting five if he wants some more size in the frontcourt. Tucker has plenty of experience playing off of star players as a corner 3-point assassin and strong defender.
If Lue prefers to switch Westbrook out with another guard, Norman Powell could be inserted into the lineup. Powell, a career 38.8 percent shooter from 3-point range, would be an ideal fit as someone who can stretch the floor and not be ignored by opposing defenses on the perimeter, opening things up for the All-Stars to operate.
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