Everyone knows by now that Russell Westbrook isn’t a shooter, which has resulted in him becoming a journeyman around the NBA, landing him with the Los Angeles Clippers.
But the Golden State Warriors took their defense of Westbrook to an entirely new level on Thursday night. Draymond Green and Co. left Westbrook SO WIDE OPEN. I’m not talking three feet here. They clogged the paint and dared him to shoot.
And on the night, he went an abysmal 3-for-12, including 0-for-5 from distance. Bleh. The clips from that game are amazing, though — it’s as if the Dubs are playing 5-on-4 basketball here!
The Warriors guarding Westbrook oh no pic.twitter.com/iMbrSsIyMk
— Cameron Tabatabaie (@CTabatabaie) March 3, 2023
Dray guarding Russ 👀 pic.twitter.com/mpeKmmzeGl
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) March 3, 2023
Green spoke about the strategy after the game and what that approach does mentally to Westbrook:
“You’re taught in basketball, you’re open, take the shot. But if you’re open every play, you kind of start questioning yourself.”
Draymond Green on the Warriors’ sagging defensive scheme against Russell Westbrook and the Clippers 🗣️pic.twitter.com/r73FDmQb0L
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPointsApp) March 3, 2023
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Yikes. I imagine other teams will imitate this, especially in the postseason.
