The Nuggets resumed training, and Mike Malone is full of praise about Russell Westbrookhis new recruit on the outside lines, who brings his contagious energy to the sessions.
“We went hard yesterday (the day before yesterday) and I was a little worried about the freshness of their legs today (yesterday). But our guys were ready, it was competitive. Obviously, with a guy like that” he explains, pointing to Russell Westbrook “the volume is always at full volume. Like in “Spinal Tap”. Out of 11.”
It's only the first days of training camp, but Russell Westbrook clearly appreciates being asked to do what he prefers, namely run and lead counterattacks.
A “second unit” that plays hard?
“Being able to go as fast as I want, pushing guys to run, giving them good shots… That's what I can bring, you know? Making sure Julian (Strawther) has open shots, open 3-pointers. It's part of my job. I can do this at a high level, and I'll continue to do it for as long as they need me to. »
What he believes he could not have done in Los Angeles, at the Lakers then at the Clippers…
“Honestly, my qualities are unique. And they didn't put me in a position to be unique. I was in a situation where I was not playing my position. Here, Coach Malone allows me to use my speed, my fast-play talent to make everyone better, to make the game easier for everyone. This is what I like to do. »
It remains to be seen how Mike Malone will use these “unique” qualities throughout the season. No doubt mainly as leader of the “second unit”, made up of young players (Julian Strawther, Peyton Watson, Zeke Nnaji, etc.) who will be able to use this pace to gain the advantage over opposing substitutes.
| Russell Westbrook | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2008-09 | OKC | 82 | 33 | 39.8 | 27.1 | 81.5 | 2.2 | 2.7 | 4.9 | 5.3 | 2.3 | 1.3 | 3.3 | 0.2 | 15.3 |
| 2009-10 | OKC | 82 | 34 | 41.8 | 22.1 | 78.0 | 1.7 | 3.2 | 4.9 | 8.0 | 2.5 | 1.3 | 3.3 | 0.4 | 16.1 |
| 2010-11 | OKC | 82 | 35 | 44.2 | 33.0 | 84.2 | 1.5 | 3.2 | 4.6 | 8.2 | 2.5 | 1.9 | 3.9 | 0.4 | 21.9 |
| 2011-12 | OKC | 66 | 35 | 45.7 | 31.6 | 82.3 | 1.5 | 3.1 | 4.6 | 5.5 | 2.2 | 1.7 | 3.6 | 0.3 | 23.6 |
| 2012-13 | OKC | 82 | 35 | 43.8 | 32.3 | 80.0 | 1.4 | 3.9 | 5.2 | 7.4 | 2.3 | 1.8 | 3.3 | 0.3 | 23.2 |
| 2013-14 | OKC | 46 | 31 | 43.7 | 31.8 | 82.6 | 1.2 | 4.5 | 5.7 | 6.9 | 2.3 | 1.9 | 3.9 | 0.2 | 21.8 |
| 2014-15 | OKC | 67 | 34 | 42.6 | 29.9 | 83.5 | 1.9 | 5.4 | 7.3 | 8.6 | 2.8 | 2.1 | 4.4 | 0.2 | 28.2 |
| 2015-16 | OKC | 80 | 34 | 45.4 | 29.6 | 81.2 | 1.8 | 6.0 | 7.8 | 10.4 | 2.5 | 2.0 | 4.3 | 0.3 | 23.5 |
| 2016-17 ★ | OKC | 81 | 35 | 42.5 | 34.3 | 84.5 | 1.7 | 9.0 | 10.7 | 10.4 | 2.4 | 1.6 | 5.4 | 0.4 | 31.6 |
| 2017-18 | OKC | 80 | 36 | 44.9 | 29.8 | 73.7 | 1.9 | 8.2 | 10.1 | 10.3 | 2.5 | 1.8 | 4.8 | 0.3 | 25.4 |
| 2018-19 | OKC | 73 | 36 | 42.8 | 29.0 | 65.6 | 1.5 | 9.6 | 11.1 | 10.7 | 3.4 | 2.0 | 4.5 | 0.5 | 23.0 |
| 2019-20 | HOU | 57 | 36 | 47.2 | 25.8 | 76.3 | 1.8 | 6.2 | 7.9 | 7.0 | 3.5 | 1.6 | 4.5 | 0.4 | 27.3 |
| 2020-21 | W.A.S. | 65 | 36 | 43.9 | 31.5 | 65.6 | 1.7 | 9.9 | 11.5 | 11.7 | 2.9 | 1.4 | 4.8 | 0.4 | 22.2 |
| 2021-22 | LAL | 78 | 34 | 44.4 | 29.8 | 66.7 | 1.4 | 6.0 | 7.4 | 7.1 | 3.0 | 1.0 | 3.8 | 0.3 | 18.5 |
| 2022-23 * | All Teams | 73 | 29 | 43.6 | 31.1 | 65.6 | 1.2 | 4.6 | 5.8 | 7.6 | 2.2 | 1.0 | 3.5 | 0.5 | 15.9 |
| 2022-23 * | LAL | 52 | 29 | 41.7 | 29.6 | 65.5 | 1.1 | 5.0 | 6.2 | 7.5 | 2.3 | 1.0 | 3.5 | 0.4 | 15.9 |
| 2022-23 * | LAKE | 21 | 30 | 48.9 | 35.6 | 65.8 | 1.4 | 3.4 | 4.9 | 7.6 | 2.0 | 1.1 | 3.4 | 0.5 | 15.8 |
| 2023-24 | LAKE | 68 | 23 | 45.4 | 27.3 | 68.8 | 1.4 | 3.7 | 5.0 | 4.5 | 1.8 | 1.1 | 2.1 | 0.3 | 11.1 |
| Total | 1162 | 34 | 43.8 | 30.4 | 77.6 | 1.6 | 5.5 | 7.2 | 8.2 | 2.6 | 1.6 | 4.0 | 0.3 | 21.7 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
