The 2023 NBA playoffs has finally arrived, and it is living up to its hype. Throughout the season, multiple teams and players were written off due to their dismal performances in the league. However, as soon as the postseason arrived, many in the league shifted gears to take their opponents for a spin. Similarly, Russell Westbrook, who was declared a failure during his stint with the Los Angeles Lakers, has turned the tables for his new team in the postseason. Westbrook’s astonishing performance in Game 1 of the playoffs for the Los Angeles Clippers has even made his haters sit up and take notice.

Russell Westbrook has been incessantly trolled in the NBA for his abysmal shooting stats. Hence, many in the NBA community even branded the 2017 NBA MVP with the nickname, ‘Westbrick’. Fast forward to 2023, and Westbrook is making efforts to shut his haters up altogether.

Russell Westbrook shuts down haters after his astonishing playoff performance?

Russ was heavily criticized for his below-average season in the league earlier this year. It was evident that LeBron James and Westbrook were not made for each other. Hence, before the trade deadline, the nine-time All-Star was traded to the other part of LA, the Los Angeles Clippers.

Since the trade, Westbrook has been performing decently, and on Sunday night, he proved his worth against the Phoenix Suns. Despite his abysmal shooting stats, the Clippers star produced an amazing performance, surprising people who aren’t fond of his game, like Skip Bayless.

In a recent episode of FS1’s Undisputed, Shannon Sharpe and Skip Bayless discussed the major upset in game 1 as the Clippers defeated the Suns. Sharpe pointed out how even though Westbrook shot 3 for 19, he was the key to the Clippers’ win. A sentiment that Skip Bayless couldn’t really agree to, but didn’t vehemently negate.

“Shannon Sharpe, if I told you Friday, Russ was gonna shoot 3 for 19 in Game 1 at Phoenix, I know what you would’ve said, ‘its a wipeout’,” said Bayless. He added, “He lived down to the nickname that I think I first gave him in his OKC days[Westbrick]… but the shock of shocks for me? I gotta give credit to Ty Lue, and I give it to Russ.”

Bayless continued, “We all know he will fight his tail off and your tail off..I still believe they [Clippers] are trying to show the Lakers ‘We will win with him[Westbrook] while you fail with him‘.”

ALSO READ : ?Blamed Everything On Him?: Charles Barkley Delighted to See ?Crap Team? Lakers Get Thrown Under the Bus by Russell Westbrook

The seasoned sportscaster was astonished at Westbrook’s impressive performance of grabbing ten rebounds in a game where nothing was going his way. Additionally, Bayless showered praises on the head coach of the Clippers, Ty Lue for making such a bold decision to keep Westbrook on the court despite all his shortcomings. However, Sharpe mentioned that it was Westbrook’s skill that made him overcome his below par shooting game in Phoenix. Nevertheless, it is yet to be seen whether the 2017 MVP’s unwavering mental fortitude will support him in the other games of the series.

Do you think the Clippers can get the better of the Suns in round 1? Let us know in the comments below.

Watch This Story : ?Russell Westbrook, Kobe Bryant family, Dwyane Wade and other sports stars who dazzled the Oscars 2023 after party?