Russell Westbrook gives rave reviews to Damian Lillard for his shot-making ability after their latest faceoff, which the Brody won.
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Rivalries in the NBA were always as entertaining as ever. Anything to spice up games and add more leverage to a random game in the regular season was always looked for.
Player rivalries date all the way back to Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain having a go at one another, to the present day with guys like Chris Paul and Rajon Rondo not being able to stand each other.
A rivalry that has been brewing for quite some time is the on-court beef between Russell Westbrook and Damian Lillard. It should be specified that the ‘beef’ was on the court. Dame has reiterated many times that it is merely a duel of capabilities when on the NBA hardwood.
Off the court, the two stars have nothing but respect and admiration for each other.
Russell Westbrook praises Damian Lillard for being able to make tough shots with ease
Dame’s Portland TraiBlazers faced off against Russ and the Wizards two nights back as the Blazers looked to go for their 7th straight win. The Wizards didn’t allow this to happen however as they bested Dame and his squad, extending their own win streak to 4 straight.
Following the game, Westbrook remained respectful of Dame. “He’s going to take tough shots. He’s going to take tough ones and make tough ones. That’s what great players do.”
Russell Westbrook’s last 4 games:
17.0 PPG
11.5 RPG
12.8 APG
Wizards 4-0 pic.twitter.com/7wzuEaUwJI— NBA Central (@TheNBACentral) February 21, 2021
Russell Westbrook has seen up close the kind of tough shots Damian Lillard is capable of making. After all, the Weber State guard did send Russ’s OKC home packing after draining a sidestep 40 footer in Game 5.
This series between the Blazers and the Thunder was the one that really exemplified the rivalry between Russ and Dame. It was filled with back-and-forths between the two. Everything from Dame’s ‘bombs away’ celebration to Westbrook ‘rocking the baby’ on Dame in Game 3.
There haven’t been all too many moments like those in recent memory but the two always go all out when facing one another. Westbrook had one the best games of his season with the Wizards when facing the Blazers. He dropped 27 points on 65% shooting from the field while leading Washington to the victory.