The Wizards enjoyed their first look at Russell Westbrook, who made his preseason debut Saturday night, writes Ava Wallace of The Washington Post. He contributed eight points, seven rebounds and three assists in 17 minutes and helped Washington outscore the Pistons by 11 points while he was in the game.
Wizards coach Scott Brooks was encouraged after watching Westbrook and Bradley Beal on the court together for the first time in a game situation.
“I like the fact that they were looking for other players, not just playing back and forth,” Brooks said. “Russell’s going to find whoever’s open; he’s going to make the right play. And Brad’s the same way.”
There’s more from Washington, D.C.:
- First-round pick Deni Avdija is making a strong bid to be the team’s starting small forward on opening night, Wallace adds in the same piece. The 19-year-old got his second preseason start Saturday and played 32 minutes. “He’s definitely working his way to being a starter one day,” Brooks said. “Don’t know when that will be; it might be Wednesday night. He’s playing hard, he’s tough, he has great size, and he’s going to make us a better team. … He’s making a good case (to start) — there’s no question.”
- Point guard Raul Neto has been a surprising standout during the preseason, notes Chase Hughes of NBC Sports Washington. The 28-year-old was brought in to improve the defense, but he scored 34 points in three preseason games. With Ish Smith as the primary backup to Westbrook, the Wizards may consider using Neto at shooting guard, Hughes adds. He played there for a while Saturday, taking minutes that normally would go to Jerome Robinson and Garrison Mathews.
- With seven international players on their roster, the Wizards are tied with the Mavericks for the most in the league, Hughes writes in a separate story. In addition to Avdija, who is from Israel, and Neto, who hails from Brazil, Washington has Rui Hachimura of Japan, Davis Bertans and Anzejs Pasecniks of Latvia and Moritz Wagner and Isaac Bonga of Germany. “Those seven guys have the attributes we look for, not the passports we look for. It doesn’t really matter to me where you’re from,” general manager Tommy Sheppard said. “If there’s talent all over the world, it’s your job to go find it. It’s never intentional.”
John Wall>Russ
Just because you are not real fan of Westbrook mvp
I had to be last season, but now everyone will see that Houston won the trade. Westbrook is entering the twilight of his career.
translation: I am angry that Westbrook exposed harden as a fraud. I do not want to admit that Harden is a selfish player only cares about stats.
Perhaps at some point you were even forced to say something positive about Chris Paul. Life can be hard.
harden mvp and sillyman are the same person .
That’s right ….
Westbrook is less than two yrs older. And has never had serious injuries like Wall has. Even though you lie about it here all the time. Westbrook has had a muscle operation. Never a ligament, much more serious.
As a wizard fan you guys only win trade if you trade harden for dinwiddie, allen, and lavert. Since wall would be good leader. Westbrook was really good for us
Harden suxxs …. one way player.
link to fadeawayworld.net
Nobody wants to play with him. Only you
That’s crazy talk! Harden is great a top 5-10 player even among most of his detractors. Every team would love to have him….I would just rather have Ben and Joel…
I don’t think Wall is better than Russ cause he isn’t but in terms of fitting that offence I think Wall is better. Wall is a much better passer of the ball, which helps the outside shooters, Wall is a better defender and he’s a better outside shooter.
He doesn’t have the high usage of Russ hence doesn’t have the amazing stats, he also doesn’t have Russes athleticism but he’s pretty close. The fact they got a first round pick out of the trade aswell is great for the Rockets.
I think it’s a win win for the Rockets and Wizards who both got players that suit their teams better.
And they both got rid of players that wanted out, tho in Wall’s case, maybe only after he heard they were looking to deal him.
Avdija weakness is shooting but he shoots better than Edwards and Ball
I like the Neto addition for Washington. I liked him in Philly but we never seemed to use him right.
Rui is the next star there. Wizards are a playoff team. If they can get good center play. They could be dangerous. Deni is still young. Don’t need to start. He works his way into rotation that will be big. Needs to work on his shooting. He’ll be a starter soon enough. Unfortunately he and Rui play same position.
Deni or Rui can play pf or sf