Clippers: Tyronn Lue Says Russell Westbrook Saved Them Last Season; 'He Went to Another Level'

Minnesota Timberwolves v Los Angeles Clippers
(Photo : Harry How/Getty Images) LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - Russell Westbrook (#0) speaks in front of Kawhi Leonard (#2), Marcus Morris Sr. (#8), Ivica Zubac (#40) and Tyronn Lue of the LA Clippers during a 108-101 win over Minnesota Timberwolves at Crypto.com Arena on February 28, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.

Russell Westbrook played only 26 games for the Los Angeles Clippers after being let go by the Los Angeles Lakers, but Tyronn Lue thinks those 26 games were big for them.

The coach said Brodie came like a savior for the team after another season was wasted with injuries to star players Kawhi Leonard and Paul George.

"I love Russ from Day 1," Lue told the All The Smokes podcast by former NBA player Stephen Jackson.

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"He's a tough dude, tough-minded; what he did for our season, him, Plumlee, Bones, and Eric Gordon, what Russ did coming in the last 20 games of the season, he saved us. PG goes down, and he went to another level."

The level Lue was talking about refers to Westbrook's performance in the first round of the playoffs against the heavily favored Phoenix Suns.

He averaged 23.6 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 7.4 assists in five games.

Keeping Westbrook

Re-signing Westbrook appeared to be the plan all along for the Clippers, even if the 2017 season MVP became unpopular in the last few seasons due to inefficiency.

Clippers president Lawrence Frank saw him differently, so they re-signed him last July 6.

"In the two months Russ spent with the team, he was everything we hoped he would be and more," Frank said.

"He made a huge impact on the court, with his play, and off it, with the urgency, intensity and professionalism he brings to the gym on a daily basis."

Related article: Austin Reaves Reveals Russell Westbrook Act That Dispels Former MVP's Negative Image

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