The Los Angeles Clippers have been delivering an impressive performance during the ongoing NBA season. They have positioned themselves as the 4th seed through their 42-25 score and are looking to maintain that position until the playoffs. However, it is turning out to be a struggle since the team has managed to lose 4 of their last 6 games. A few hours ago, renowned sports journalist Rachel Nichols and 4x NBA. All-Star DeMarcus Cousins released another episode of their ‘Bully Ball’ show. In fact, the Clippers miss Russell Westbrook!
During the same show, they discussed the current condition of the Clippers, with Nichols jotting down the team’s most notable losses since the All-Star break. From blowing a 21-point lead against the Lakers to securing only 4 points during the final 4 minutes against the Pelicans, the Clippers have had their rotten share of luck. Adding another humiliating loss to the list, Nichols highlighted the team’s recent loss to the Hawks by a jaw-dropping 29 points.
When asked what the Clippers need to do to put themselves back on the right track, Cousins replied that he hopes these losses have made the other team players realize the importance of Russell Westbrook on their roster. A certain curveball is thrown, isn’t it?
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“You know the guy in the locker room, the voice in the locker room, the ‘leader of the rocker room’, just like that big positive energy that he comes with on a nightly basis is missing,” said Cousins. “It’s just not that same team, it’s not that same energy that we saw early on, and I think that’s credit to Russell Westbrook and what he brings to a team on a nightly basis,” said Cousins.
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Cousins believes the LA team is getting too “comfortable” and “stagnant.” Therefore, he also wants a sense of “urgency” to be created amongst members of the current roster. “One play can change an entire series, so this isn’t the point in the season where you want to be lacking urgency or playing with a lack of effort,” Cousins continued. “I think T Lue should be sitting this team down, and they should be having a heart to heart”.
When can the Clippers expect Russell Westbrook back?
Russell Westbrook has been absent over the last few games after having sustained a left-hand fracture earlier this month. Therefore, as much as DeMarcus Cousins and the Clippers players wish to have the point guard back, they can’t do anything until the situation improves for the player. Judging by the recent update from head coach Tyronn Lue, however, there is no definite timeline.
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“There’s an expectation that he can be back with this team before the playoffs,” said Lue. “For this Clippers team, certainly they are comforted with the idea that they will have Russell Westbrook back for the playoffs.” Is Westbrook crucial for the Clippers’ success on the court?