Russell Westbrook gives Clippers ‘a ton of value’

PLAYA VISTA — The public Russell Westbrook snarls, barks at opponents and can be surly, if pushed. The private Russ is a whole other person.

Away from cameras, Westbrook puts his focus on the well-being of his teammates, family and friends. He asks about their day, what’s going on with them and how he can help. Basketball is not a part of the conversation when he’s not on the court.

Westbrook, who starts his 16th season Wednesday against the Portland Trailblazers, has used that tactic to become a vocal leader, that big voice, for the Clippers, the type of person the team has lacked in recent years. Kawhi Leonard and Paul George command the team’s attention but use a softer voice when speaking.

Westbrook isn’t afraid to speak up.

“We are all around each other more than our whole families, and then having conversations that don’t actually talk about basketball to me creates a better connection,” said Westbrook, who reportedly spearheaded a minicamp during the summer and gave every teammate an iPhone 15 and merchandise from his Honor The Gift clothing brand.

“You allow yourself a chance to understand somebody’s personal life, what they’re going through, their kids, their family, what they like, what they don’t like. To me that’s more important, just understanding people and not just talking about basketball.

“Basketball, we talk about that (stuff) every day. So, off the court I like to not talk about basketball as much unless we’re discussing film or some sort. But nine out of 10, I don’t talk about it to be honest.”

“I wouldn’t say we’re missing leadership,” Clippers coach Tyronn Lue said, “I just think everyone leads differently. Kawhi and PG are more silent leaders and Russ is more outgoing. You mix those three guys together and you have great leadership.

“So, just bringing him aboard, just seeing how he approaches every single day, practice, shootarounds, games, his approach every day really helped us out.”

Westbrook said his leadership skills have surprised many players and non-players alike. His on-court persona and recent pouty interviews during his 18 months with the Lakers have left an indelible impression on some.

“It’s unfortunate … (but) when people see me, they understand that I’m not… I don’t know what… I don’t even know where the narrative came from because I don’t want to point to you guys, that wouldn’t be fair. At least I hope not. The media (has) portrayed me as somebody that… I don’t know.”

Westbrook hopes to dispel the notion that he is a “me-first guy.” He wants others to know that he is personable and just being himself.

“I’ve done that,” he said.

Once he steps onto the court for a game, there’s no more Mr. Nice Guy.

“I don’t want to be nice. I don’t want to be your friend. I don’t want to hang out. I don’t want to talk,” Westbrook said. “So, if that to people feels as though I’m a mean guy, I’ll take that. But off the floor, I got no problem doing anything you want to do. I’ll go do whatever. It is a surprise for some people, which is fine, and I’m used to it by now.”

From the moment Westbrook arrived after being traded from the Lakers to the Utah Jazz, who then waived him, he has set the tone for the Clippers. His high-energy habits have lifted the players’ confidence and play.

“Russ has been great for us, being a leader since Day One,” Clippers center Ivica Zubac said. “He helps the guys a lot with his confidence, with the guys’ confidence, pushing you to be better. And for me, playing with Russ has been great.”

George said even at age 34, Westbrook continues to give “full-on 100% effort, if not 120%, 130%. He’s always going to give everything he has.”

“It was nice knowing that, especially in the dog days where you’re just not feeling it, (when you) might be under the weather, might be tired, might be achy – whatever it is, those excuses wouldn’t creep in because of the energy he brought on a nightly basis,” George said of the Westbrook’s play last season. “It was just contagious to see him.”

“It’s not necessarily everything he does on the court. That stuff leaks off the court where he’s so contagious, he’s infectious, his energy, his communication. Just the way that he values that team camaraderie, the leadership. It just means a lot. He has a ton of value in this organization.”

While Westbrook loves to enable others, he still has his own agenda. He is aiming to return to the triple-double nights he posted with the Washington Wizards before being traded to landing with the Lakers, where his numbers dipped to 17.4 points, 7.2 assists and 6.9 rebounds.

In 21 games last season with the Clippers, Westbrook averaged 15.8 points, 7.6 assists and 4.9 rebounds. Can he raise his play?

“I think it is always an interesting question for me,” Westbrook said. “Because I always tell people, everybody has their own representation of what is me getting back to me. And for me, I’m the only one that can set that table. Nobody else outside of myself can tell me [what is] getting back to yourself. Getting back to myself would be averaging 21, 11 and 12, which hasn’t been done in I don’t [know how] many years.