When one sees a headline involving Russell Westbrook and reports, one’s thoughts immediately drift to venomous barbs from Brodie as well as his trademark “no comment” response from seasons past. However, that was the old Russ, who played for the Oklahoma City Thunder. Now that Westbrook is a member of the Houston Rockets alongside his good friend James Harden, it seems that the former MVP has turned over a new leaf when it comes to responding to questions from reporters.
Take this exchange courtesy of Tomer Azarly from ClutchPoints, in which Westbrook replies humorously to a question from a reporter:
#Rockets' Russell Westbrook in midseason form😂
“Are there different actions/things you can do to pose a threat to the defense when you don't have the ball?”
RW – “Yup”
Then adds – "I can pass the ball, I’m the best rebounder at my position. I can do w/e I need to help us win" pic.twitter.com/5qIvAT3ycv
— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) October 2, 2019
As you can see, what once might’ve been a prickly exchange that ended in awkward silence was turned on its head by a more receptive Westbrook, who delivered his comebacks with a smirk on his face and a glint in his eye.
2019-20 will mark the first season that Westbrook will not be a member of the Oklahoma City Thunder, and he will play a huge role in the Houston Rockets’ success next season as the replacement for Chris Paul – who, it was rumored, did not get along with Harden during their tenure in Houston.
With Paul in OKC and Russ in Houston now, the Rockets might not have the same level of focus on three-pointers, considering that Westbrook is only a career 30.8 percent shooter from downtown.
Of course, Westbrook will also likely play a lot with second units, much like Paul did during his two years in Houston – allowing the team take on more of Westbrook’s style of play when Harden sits.
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