LA Clippers lose 3rd straight since getting Russell Westbrook, fans are merciless: "LMFAO How’s that Russ experience", "Still contributing as a Laker"
The LA Clippers are 0-3 since they acquired Russell Westbrook via the buyout market and made him their starting point guard. "Russ" has put up decent numbers but has unfortunately not helped the Clippers improve their standing in the Western Conference.
NBA fans quickly tweeted their comments after the Clippers' third straight loss:
"LMFAOOO How’s that Russ experience"
@statmuse LMFAOOO How’s that Russ experience
While he's no longer with the LA Lakers, one fan trolled Westbrook's "contribution" to his former team:
"Westbrook is still contributing as a Laker."
@statmuse Westbrook is still contributing as a Laker.
@statmuse Russ seen the lakers needed a clippers win so he took matters into his own hands
@ComplexSports @Complex It’s Russel Westbrook @russwest44 what did you expect ? @LAClippers
@statmuse As long as he’s having fun
@LegionHoops I wonder why…. T Mann in the starting line up worked for the clippers offensively and DEFENSIVELY
But nah PG wanted to play rec ball with his buddy 😂
Ty lue and PG selling out 🤣🗑
Some fans aren't letting the slander on Russell Westbrook pass them by:
@LegionHoops Mavs are 1-4 with kyrie. Blame doesn’t go on one person.
@LegionHoops such a bait headline. he’s played way better with the clippers
@LegionHoops STOP PUSHING THIS NARRATIVE AND WATCH THE GAMES
In tonight's loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves, Russell Westbrook played 28 minutes and finished with 14 points, 10 assists and seven rebounds. He did have four turnovers, which helped the Timberwolves escape with the win.
Westbrook getting blamed for the Clippers' three-game losing skid might be a little unfair. He is averaging 16.0 points, 9.3 assists and 5.7 rebounds. The former MVP is shooting 53% from the field, including a blistering 47.0% from behind the arc.
Given he's had very little time to adjust to Ty Lue's system on both ends of the floor, he's doing a fair job as their point guard.
What killed the LA Clippers tonight was their inability to take care of the ball. Russell Westbrook had a team-high four miscues, but they collected 24 as a team. It couldn't have been solely Westbrook's fault that they gave up too many points off of their errors.
Clippers are 0-3 with Russell Westbrook https://t.co/3HmrtZGQww
The Minnesota Timberwolves, who shot just 9-26 from the field, adjusted their game plan and attacked the rim. They finished with an overwhelming 60-38 lead over the Clippers. It was a difference that cost Ty Lue's team, but which was unfairly heaped on Westbrook by some fans.
Russell Westbrook will still meet the LA Lakers before the regular-season ends
Russell Westbrook's LA Clippers will take on his former team the LA Lakers on April 5, 2023. Given how tightly-contested the Western Conference standings are, that game could be very crucial for both teams.
The Clippers have owned the series over the past few seasons. They haven't lost to the Lakers in 10 straight games. One can only expect the slander Westbrook will have to go through if the Lakers somehow snap their 10-game losing streak.
When both teams meet in April this year, a play-in ticket could be on the line. After the loss to the Timberwolves, the Clippers (33-31) have dropped to sixth in the Western Conference standings. They're just half a game out of the play-in tournament.
The LA Lakers (29-33), on the other hand, are in 12th place but just one game behind the New Orleans Pelicans (30-32) for the final play-in ticket. The tightly-contested battle could end in different scenarios.
One thing is certain, though. When Russell Westbrook suits up for the LA Clippers to battle the LA Lakers, both of their seasons could be at stake.
How fitting would it be if Westbrook could play the spoiler and help eliminate the Lakers, the team he used to play for.