The Wizards played their first preseason game tonight in Brooklyn but new signing Russell Westbrook wasn’t on the field. An absence that should be repeated this season during back-to-backs. TTFL lovers, you have been warned.
Russell Westbrook will therefore not play two nights in a row during the upcoming campaign, according to Chase Hughes of NBCS Washington, who quotes Scott Brooks, the coach of the Wizards. A news that will not surprise many people because it was already the case in Houston last season, and then we are talking about a 32-year-old player who has a history of injuries and operations linked in particular to his ultra athletic game and his hyperactive side. Victim of a quadriceps injury in the bubble after being hit by COVID, Russ ended the last season badly and the Wizards obviously want to avoid straining the rope, especially with the pace imposed by the League, which has everything even decided to be more flexible in terms of player rest during back-to-backs in this very special 72-game campaign. For information, the franchise of the capital has seven B2B on the menu in its first part of the calendar, that is to say between December 23 and March 4. We should therefore logically see Russ miss at least seven games, seven games in which Bradley Beal will have to carry the entire attack on his back. That’s good, he got used to the last few seasons without John Wall and he is rather gifted, he who remains on a monstrous campaign offensively with more than 30 points and 6 assists on average.
Scott Brooks said the Wizards are likely to hold Russell Westbrook out of back-to-backs this season. Westbrook doesn’t have an injury, but may get the same treatment they had planned for John Wall.
— Chase Hughes (@ChaseHughesNBCS) December 13, 2020
The Wizards of course want to count on a Russell Westbrook to the maximum of his abilities when he is on the floor. Following his arrival as part of the transfer involving John Wall, Washington wants to fight in the race for the Playoffs in the East. We tend to forget it because Brodie struggled in the bubble, but the guy still remains on a regular 27 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists with more than 47% of success in shooting. So hey, if he’s in good shape and the Wizards manage to manage him properly from a physical point of view so that he can give the best of himself while avoiding injuries, we say to ourselves that Washington could show itself. dangerous behind his duo Russ – Beal, provided the two manage to find the right balance. Fingers crossed for them but what is certain is that Westbrook is already on the cleat with his new team. A few days ago, he arrived several hours before his first training in the Wizards jersey and since then he has been setting the tone through his energy and giving voice. This is going to do the group good because despite all its faults, there is one thing that cannot be taken away from Brodie, he is a guy who gives everything and who will not hesitate to kick the ball. ass of his teammates if they are not thoroughly.
Russell Westbrook will logically be spared this season, which will allow Bradley Beal to blacken the stat sheets properly when the time comes. Knowing that the season promises to be intense and that Brodie does not know the economy button when he is on the field, it is probably the best thing to do.
Source texte : NBCS Washington
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