LA Clippers Paul George defends former teammate Russell Westbrook after playing the LA Lakers
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LA Clippers Paul George defends LA Lakers Russell Westbrook after his former team-mate flopped in their game: ‘Frankly, it’s not the team set up for him’
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Los Angeles Clippers all-star forward Paul George said he doesn’t believe the Lakers are the right match for his former teammate and former MVP Russell Westbrook.
George told ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne“Honestly, it’s not the team that’s tailored for him, with the squad they have. It has to work both ways.
“He was very easily a 30-10-10 man when he had the keys to the team. You mustn’t forget that.’
Paul George dunks during the second half of the game against the Los Angeles Lakers
Russell Westbrook (0) celebrates with George (13) used to be a teammate at Oklahoma City
Westbrook’s gunfights came to full effect as he shot 0-11 from the field and 0-6 from a 3-point range against the Clippers. His only two runs in the game came from the free throw line.
Despite Westbrook’s terrible play at their game, George didn’t hesitate to defend him.
“I’ve always been a huge Russell supporter. I won’t undermine the great moments we had in Oklahoma,” George said of playing two years together in Oklahoma City from 2017 to 2019. “He was great for my career.”
“Honestly, I don’t understand the shadow or the hatred or the things being thrown at him. He is one of the best players who has ever played this game. It’s hard when you have the pressure they put on him here.
“I just want him to keep that joy. Keep that excitement, that fun that’s what makes him special, the fact that he can do that every night. I hate to see that it doesn’t look like it’s there for him. But hopefully it will work out in his favor in the end.’
George stands in front of Westbrook as the pair watches a shot and prepares to battle for the rebound
Thursday’s game marked the second consecutive loss to start the season for the Lakers. In Tuesday’s season opener, the team shot 10-40 from three, to go along with the even worse 9-45 they shot Thursday.
Anthony Davis was one of the members of the Lakers who thought the team should just keep shooting until the shots start to fall.
“Don’t let missed shots take away your confidence,” Davis said. “Keep shooting, have faith in your shot. And they are going to fall. There’s nothing you can do but keep shooting.’