Washington Wizards star guard Russell Westbrook is on his third team in as many seasons this year, but he still is one of the best guards in the NBA.
Westbrook spent last season with the Houston Rockets, but he requested a trade this offseason. The 32-year-old reportedly wasn’t a fan of how the Rockets gave superstar James Harden preferential treatment.
There has been criticism surrounding Westbrook in recent years that he is a hard player to play alongside. While he puts up huge numbers, the nine-time All-Star sometimes tries to do too much on the floor.
Anthony Morrow, one of Westbrook’s former teammates with the Oklahoma City Thunder, explained the type of athlete Westbrook is and why his intensity sometimes leads to him doing too much in a story by the Washington Post’s Michael Lee.
“He’s a Lamborghini-type athlete,” Morrow said. “You can’t ask him to be a Honda Civic.”
Morrow spent nearly three seasons playing with Westbrook in Oklahoma City. He clearly has seen Westbrook’s in-game intensity up close.
While Westbrook may be criticized, he has a chance to change the narrative surrounding his game.
After being dealt to Washington for John Wall this offseason, Westbrook has an opportunity to help bring the Wizards to the playoffs this season.
The Wizards missed the postseason last year with Wall out, but they hope that pairing Westbrook with Bradley Beal will render a different result during the 2020-21 season.