Its been a little over seven days since Russell Westbrook has joined the Washington Wizards. In just that short amount of time, the nine-time All-Star is bringing a new energy to the team. At least that has been the overall sentiment about the Wizards new point guard throughout this shortened training camp week. Most importantly, his teammate Bradley Beal is on the same page and on board with what he’s seen so far.
“Its been great. Its been a new energy,” Beal said. “Russ brings a definite focus and persona about himself that resonates with the rest of the team. You have no choice but to feed off of his energy. Its been nothing but positive vibes. The energy’s been through the roof. Coach probably has to stop us sometimes because we’re going too hard. It’s still an adjustment on everybody’s behalf but so far so good.”
Scott Brooks who coached Westbrook early in his career with the Oklahoma City Thunder isn’t surprised by the energy he is bringing to the team. In fact, Coach Brooks warned reporters shortly after Westbrook was acquired that his intensity is something he believes will rub off on the rest of the team.
When Russell finally did practice with the team last week, it was exactly what Brooks expected. Westbrook showed up two hours early to start working before everyone else arrived.
“It definitely felt like old times,” Brooks said. “I’m sure the players didn’t realize that’s what he does. You could tell everybody locked in and everybody raised their level up. They will be surprised to know this was not because it was the first day. This is who he is, this is how he prepares, this is how he gets ready. He’s always like that.”
Westbrook is very aware of his intensity and is unapologetic for it. Those characteristics are apart of who he is and a major reason for his NBA success.
“When I’m on the floor, I don’t have any friends,” Westbrook said. “I’m not trying to be friendly, I’m trying to bust somebody’s (explicit). I don’t got time to try and shake hands and do all that. I don’t have time for it and I’m never changing that.”
Besides new energy, Westbrook is also bringing leadership to a very young Wizards roster that mostly consists of guys under 25 and 27 years old Beal. Westbrook, Robin Lopez, and Ish Smith are the only members of the over 30 club. Therefore, Westbrook’s experience is being embraced.
“The first thing I noticed is he’s a great leader. He’s so vocal,” Rui Hachimura said. “He’s almost like a head coach. He always talks to us and he always talks to me. He’s a great guy. I like to play with him. He actually changed our energy, the team.”
“We’ve been talking a lot and I’m listening to him because he’s been through a lot,” Wizards first-round draft pick Deni Avdija said.
When asked about the main advice he gives the younger players, Westbrook expressed the following: “You make mistakes when you first have to learn. Go out and compete and play hard, that’s the biggest thing. All the Xs and Os, that will come. But playing hard and understanding what it means to compete, work hard and everything else will follow.”
Beal is also soaking up Westbrook’s knowledge.
Bradley Beal on being challenged by Westbrook: “I love that. I definitely think he’ll propel me to a level that I haven’t tapped into. I’m confident in my game but he’s a future Hall of Famer. I’m all ears and excited to play with him.” #Wizards
— Carita Parks (@CaritaCParks) December 11, 2020
For a team that played with various levels of intensity in the past, Westbrook is already showing his mindset is contagious. If his influence can spill over to the season ahead, the Wizards have a good chance of being extremely competitive in the Eastern Conference.