In one of the biggest moves this offseason in the NBA, the Houston Rockets acquired Russell Westbrook from the Oklahoma City Thunder in a trade deal that saw All-Star point guard Chris Paul going the opposite direction.
Westbrook spent 11 seasons with the Thunder, and now he is ready for a new chapter in his career.
“I only care about one team, and that’s the Houston Rockets,” Westbrook said at his introductory press conference.
My takeaways from the Russell Westbrook introductory press conference. #Rockets pic.twitter.com/0u9X3jmmKX
— Lainie Fritz (@lainiefritz) July 26, 2019
The eight-time All-Star is reuniting with James Harden as the two of them played together on the Oklahoma City Thunder. Harden was a bit in the shadow of Kevin Durant and Westbrook at the time, but managed to win the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year Award in the 2011-12 season. However, the Thunder traded him to the Rockets where he became a franchise player.
“We’ve been friends for many, many years,” Westbrook said of Harden. “Since I was 10, actually. So we’ve played with each other in Oklahoma City, and to be able to win something, you’ve got to be willing to sacrifice some parts of your game, and we both understand that. We both understand that we have one common goal and that’s to win a championship. We understand what we have to do. I’m not worried about it, and I know James isn’t worried about it. I can play off the ball; I don’t have to touch the ball to impact the game. That’s the best way for me to come in and impact this team. I can do other things on the floor to make sure we have a better chance to win.”
https://twitter.com/HoustonRockets/status/1154836310588370944
The two of them are entirely different players, and many are concerned about how the Rockets backcourt will function. However, Westbrook and Harden are familiar with each other, so there shouldn’t be problems.
“I’ll fit right in, personally,” Westbrook said. “Floor spread, it gives me the opportunity to attack, penetrate, kick. Defensively, it’ll give me an opportunity to switch and guard and rebound at a high level. Push the break, get us out on the break. A lot of different things. I think the style of play is great, something I’m looking forward to, just getting out in space in the open floor, shooters all around and playing that way.”
