Russell Westbrook drove the lane, found Thomas Bryant open for an easy dive while the Washington Wizards big man made a foul and immediately ran to Bryant to call his approval.
In his first game with the Wizards, Westbrook recorded just 17 minutes in the first half in Washington’s 99-96 victory over the Detroit Pistons. But his impact was felt with his energy, pace and ability to move the ball and draw the attention of the defense.
“You could really see in the first half how many open shots we got,” Davis Bertans, the Wizards ’striker, said of Westbrook’s impact. “And how many beautiful looks we had and that was all Russ would say.
“He set the tone for driving and kicking … I’m pretty sure he’ll get better from there.”
After staying out of the Wizards ’first two preseason games, Westbrook played the team’s final tune before the start of the regular season in Philadelphia on December 23rd. Westbrook finished with 8 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists and shot 4 for a-10, including 0 for 3 from behind the arc.
“It was good,” Westbrook said of his first game as a magician. “We won, the most important part … I like where we were tonight.
“My job is to try to set the tone. Let them be ready to play.”
The Wizards saw Westbrook’s influence on the offense in the ability Bradley Beal had to work individually against the defenders and how far the Wizards were trying to advance. Washington led by 16 and had 10 quick points in the first half when Westbrook played.
“I felt really good,” Beal said of playing with Westbrook. “It was a lot of energy … I don’t think it’s difficult because people try to do it. We both do a good job without feeding each other, just adjusting to the way others play. .
“The most important thing is their pace and the energy they bring to the table … it just works well. We just keep playing each other, feeding and pushing each other.”
Although Beal missed all three 3-point attempts, he scored 15 points and scored seven field goals. Beal averaged 30.5 points last season, but caught the attention of most of the opposing defense as the Wizards’ only star.
“Our job is to make the game easier for him,” Westbrook said. “Find a way to constantly feed him with the ball so he can score at a high pace. He’s proven he’s capable of it. It’s going to be fantastic. I don’t even care about Brad.”
Bryant benefited from the attention Westbrook attracted, scoring 22 points and making 7 of 12 shots. And Wizards coach Scott Brooks loved watching an animated Westbrook celebrate Bryant’s sinking with the foul and cheering on the big man in the first quarter.
“Very well,” Brooks said when asked about Westbrook’s first preseason action. “He’s been similar to the whole training ground. His spirit is to win, not in stats. He plays the right way and teaches our young guys the right things. He’s great.
“It’s nothing short of spectacular, what he tells the boys, how he trains his teammates and they listen. What he’s done, how he prepares and how he trains and how he looks at the game is priceless.”