The Russell Westbrook Experience

By Zachary Smith

After being traded to the Washington Wizards last month, the Russell Westbrook experience has not been going well for the Wizards thus far into the season. 

So far, the Wizards are 1-4 in the games that Westbrook has played. He has not had the impact on the team that the Wizards were hoping for. On the season, Westbrook is, once again, averaging a triple-double, with 20.6 points, 11.2 rebounds, and 11.8 assists per game. Reports came out that Westbrook wanted to play as he did in Oklahoma City and he has already had a triple-double in all but one of the games he has played in this season. 

Russell Westbrook is currently in his first season with Washington. (USA TODAY Sports)

His box score numbers look great, but his triple-doubles are not having the same impact on winning as they once did in Oklahoma City. He is also struggling with efficiency; he is shooting 38% from the field and 22% from the three-point line while having the second-worst free-throw shooting percentage of his career at just 69%. He is also tied for the second-most turnovers in his career, averaging 4.8 a game. 

Westbrook must improve his play if he wants to help the Wizards turn this season around. While he shot poorly in the win over the Brooklyn Nets, he did dish out 10 assists to just two turnovers, after previously averaging over five per game in his first four outings. 

Playing alongside Westbrook, Bradley Beal is averaging a career-high 30.6 points per game, but he is only shooting 28% from the three-point line. Lethal shooter Davis Bertans has also struggled to find his shooting stroke, averaging 11 points per game, while shooting 35% from the field and 32% from the three-point line.

The Wizards have scored the third-most points per game this season, but the problem is that they are ranked 28th in opponents’ points scored so far this season. This is not all on Westbrook, but he has not had the positive effect on defense that he would like to have. The team has had one of their worst starts since, 2012-13, but there is still time for them to get back on track. All their losses this season have been by single digits, and if they adjust on defense, they can get above .500. Their next five games are against tough opponents, but with better play from their former MVP, they might be able to steal a couple of these games. 

Westbrook has not played to the level that he has hoped to be at, but last season he also did not start off the best and he picked up his play right before the season stopped due to the pandemic. The Wizards should be fine going forward, as they look to return to the postseason for the first time in three years.

Zachary is a sports writer for La Tonique.