USA Today via Reuters
Jan 26, 2021; Houston, Texas, USA; Washington Wizards guard Russell Westbrook (4) argues with referee Michael Smith (left) during the fourth quarter against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Carmen Mandato/Pool Photo-USA TODAY Sports
USA Today via Reuters
Jan 26, 2021; Houston, Texas, USA; Washington Wizards guard Russell Westbrook (4) argues with referee Michael Smith (left) during the fourth quarter against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Carmen Mandato/Pool Photo-USA TODAY Sports
Russell Westbrook is having a tough season. He is averaging career-lows in both points and percentages, even though he is still getting triple-doubles. Moreover, his Washington Wizards are one of the worst teams in the league, even with NBA scoring leader Bradley Beal on the team.
Westbrook’s curious downfall began in the 2020 NBA Playoffs where his team was eliminated in the second round by the LA Lakers. Westbrook was with James Harden in Houston and fell in 5 games that series.
However, Westbrook headlined conversations after the series for getting into a court-side argument with some Laker family member. That family member turned out to be Rajon Rondo’s brother.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Westbrook and Rondo just got into it again this season in the Wizards vs Atlanta Hawks matchup. This resulted in a double-technical on both players.
Rondo and Westbrook both got technical fouls at the end of the first half. pic.twitter.com/reNqDos4Lq
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) January 30, 2021
Rondo’s Hawks are running away with the game, even though Westbrook has had a strong showing so far. Brodie has 24 points through the first six minutes of the third quarter, while Rondo has eight points and has been perfect from the floor.
Russell Westbrook: Sparking up old fights again?
Russell Westbrook is one of the most passionate players in NBA history, and his ferocity is seldom matched on the court. However, Westbrook is in a slump that he has never encountered in his career before. He needs to assert his dominance and remind everyone who he is yet again, which he is doing in this game.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
USA Today via Reuters
Jan 29, 2021; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Wizards guard Russell Westbrook (4) controls the ball against Atlanta Hawks guard Kevin Huerter (3) during the second quarter at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Rajon Rondo and Westbrook have been stars in this generation. While Rondo peaked before Westbrook did, both men have been in the race for best PG over the last 15 years.
Even though Westbrook has more individual accolades, he was outplayed by Rondo in the last playoffs. Those were the same playoffs that helped Rajon win his second NBA Championship.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
They are dynamically very different but have always been in each other’s crosshairs through repeated matches. Tensions seem to be high in Washington right now, and maybe that is what came out on the court.
