Sport: Wizards GM: Russell Westbrook never asked to move on

LeBron James mocks Kawhi Leonard, Paul George over viral video

The Clippers' groundbreaking ceremony for their new Intuit Dome arena was a funny moment for some.Naturally, because of the importance of the event, the team’s two biggest stars were in attendance.

The Wizards’ decision to trade Russell Westbrook to the Los Angeles Lakers this offseason may have been in the best interest of the star point guard, but Washington GM Tommy Sheppard attests that Westbrook was “professional” and never demanded a trade from the team. “I really have to make sure the record is straight on that,” Sheppard said in an interview with NBC Sports Washington’s Chris Miller. “Russell actually never asked to move on. He just said, ‘If I can get to the Lakers, that’d be something I would love to do. If not, I’ll be back here.’ I said, ‘What about the Clippers?’ He said, ‘Hell no.’ So Russell was happy being here and we were very grateful for him being here.”

Eric Bledsoe deal had huge financial benefit for Clippers

The move raised some eyebrows but the financial realities of the deal make it clear why the Clippers were interested.Bledsoe is a strong defender, but his offense leaves something to be desired. He averaged 12.2 points and 3.8 assists in 71 games last season, but did his offensive damage on 42.1 percent shooting from the field, 34.1 percent shooting from beyond the arc, and 68.7 percent shooting from the charity stripe.

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Source: Matt Weyrich @ NBC Sports

What’s the buzz on Twitter?

Arash Markazi @ArashMarkazi

On @FOXLA tonight talking about Lakers Media Day and why I think Russell Westbrook and Carmelo Anthony are checking their egos at the door this season. pic.twitter.com/DLYzxchKDc – 10:45 PM Dave McMenamin @mcten

A couple weeks after he was traded to the Lakers, Russell Westbrook got together for a joint workout with LeBron James at a high school gym in Beverly Hills. The triple-double guru’s initial thoughts? “This is going to work,” Westbrook told ESPN es.pn/3oeaoH5 – 10:32 PM Alex Kennedy @AlexKennedyNBA

Most career games among active players:

1. LeBron James, LAL, 1310

2. Andre Iguodala, GSW, 1192

3. Carmelo Anthony, LAL, 1191

TSN Archives: A teammate's view of Michael Jordan's comeback with the Wizards

Two decades ago, Michael Jordan made his second NBA comeback, joining the Wizards after previously serving as an executive. Here's how former Washington guard Chris Whitney described the "Air Jordan" experience.Chris Whitney is standing in front of his locker at the MCI Center in Washington, buttoning his dress shirt after a win over Philadelphia. He looks down at his chest. He's in good shape, but not so good that he wants to appear shirtless on TV. So the television cameras — there are four — wait as he buttons.

4. Dwight Howard, LAL, 1182

5. Trevor Ariza, LAL, 1094

(Russ Westbrook is 13th, DeAndre Jordan is 14th and Rajon Rondo is 16th): basketballnews.com/stories/lebron… – 9:10 PM Russell Westbrook @russwest44

14.

WHYNOT? pic.twitter.com/SQEoIc3HRV – 6:24 PM

© Provided by HoopsHype Jovan Buha @jovanbuha

Five questions for the Lakers as they being training camp today:

— How does Russell Westbrook fit in?

— Which version of AD (2019-20 or 2020-21) will LA have?

— Which backcourt players step up defensively?

— What’s the 10-man rotation?

And more: theathletic.com/2853640/2021/0… – 6:18 PM Kevin O’Connor @KevinOConnorNBA

New Mismatch with @Chris Vernon on Zion’s secret foot surgery and future, vaccines ruling media day, all the latest on Ben Simmons, MPJ’s max extension, John Wall weirdness, how the Lakers recruited Russell Westbrook, and much more. @ringer open.spotify.com/episode/4mzkfa… – 4:47 PM Bob Garcia @bgarciaivsports

AP-NORC poll: Virus fears linger for vaccinated older adults

NEW YORK (AP) — Bronwyn Russell wears a mask anytime she leaves her Illinois home, though she wouldn’t dream of going out to eat or to hear a band play, much less setting foot on a plane. In Virginia, Oliver Midgette rarely dons a mask, never lets COVID-19 rouse any worry and happily finds himself in restaurants and among crowds. She is vaccinated. He is not. In a sign of the starkly different way Americans view the coronavirus pandemic, vaccinated older adults are far more worried about the virus than the unvaccinated and far likelier to take precautions despite the protection afforded by their shots, according to a new poll out Wednesday from The Associated Press-NORC Center for

LeBron James just gave Russell Westbrook the dose of confidence he needed before playing his first year with the #Lakers

#LakersMediaDay #LakeShow #NBA #NBATwitter #LakerNation

sportscasting.com/lebron-james-j… – 4:06 PM Kamenetzky Brothers @KamBrothers

For the sickos who like to watch, Tuesday’s @LockedOnLakers pod, YouTube version. Among the topics discussed, new details about the Westbrook trade (via @The Athletic) that should make Laker fans very happy. @LockedOnNBAPods @LockedOnNetwork

youtu.be/zqpYA43M-bM?t=… – 4:00 PM Mike Trudell @LakersReporter

AP-NORC poll: Virus fears linger for vaccinated older adults

NEW YORK (AP) — Bronwyn Russell wears a mask anytime she leaves her Illinois home, though she wouldn’t dream of going out to eat or to hear a band play, much less setting foot on a plane. In Virginia, Oliver Midgette rarely dons a mask, never lets COVID-19 rouse any worry and happily finds himself in restaurants and among crowds. She is vaccinated. He is not. In a sign of the starkly different way Americans view the coronavirus pandemic, vaccinated older adults are far more worried about the virus than the unvaccinated and far likelier to take precautions despite the protection afforded by their shots, according to a new poll out Wednesday from The Associated Press-NORC Center for

Dwight said he’s really looking forward to playing with Westbrook, whose energy he thinks will rub off on everybody else. “All of us are intense … he’s another level.”

Westbrook also benefits the big men, said Dwight, as bigs “eat” off his dribble penetration and passing. – 3:04 PM Ryan Ward @RyanWardLA

Russell Westbrook wanted Bradley Beal to ask out of Washington

And before

Dwight Howard on Russell Westbrook: “I’m looking forward to playing with Russ.” Called it a “dream come true.” – 3:03 PM Melissa Rohlin @melissarohlin

Rajon Rondo on the competitive nature between him and Russell Westbrook: “I know he’s looking to destroy me. Likewise, I’m looking to destroy him.” – 2:35 PM Mike Trudell @LakersReporter

Russell Westbrook says Pau Gasol was his favorite player growing up

Pau Gasol and Russell Westbrook may not have been mirror images on the floor, but the former Lakers star still found a way to influence the franchise’s newest face.“Very few people know this, but Pau was actually my favorite player growing up. Before Kobe,” Westbrook told the media after the team’s practice on Tuesday, when asked about Gasol in the wake of the latter’s retirement announcement earlier in the day.

Westbrook said he doesn’t take for granted the opportunity to have a job, to be able to come to the Lakers facility every day and work, especially in his home town. Genuine excitement. – 2:24 PM Mark Medina @MarkG_Medina

Russell Westbrook on the team’s minicamp in Vegas pic.twitter.com/Onn41eH51r – 2:23 PM

© Provided by HoopsHype Mark Medina @MarkG_Medina

Russell Westbrook on LeBron James welcoming him with open arms pic.twitter.com/alorfQmrgP – 2:21 PM

© Provided by HoopsHype Ryan Ward @RyanWardLA

Panelists unveil ballots for NBA's Greatest 75 players: Jordan, LeBron, Wilt and also Sikma, Horry

Our panel of 15 voters had all the familar names on their list -- Jordan, LeBron, Magic, Kareem -- but also names that may need an explanation.Of course, players like Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain, Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry, Oscar Robertson, Kobe Bryant, Kawhi Leonard, George Mikan and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar will be on any list of the Top 75 great players. The trick is where they appear on any given list.

Russell Westbrook on calling Trevor Ariza: “That’s my dawg!” – 2:21 PM Melissa Rohlin @melissarohlin

Russell Westbrook on his excitement about playing for the Lakers pic.twitter.com/y7KGMDkNi0 – 2:20 PM

© Provided by HoopsHype Jovan Buha @jovanbuha

Russell Westbrook said that no one can guard Anthony Davis at the 4 or the 5, but AD playing at the 5 is “a real advantage” for the Lakers due to the spacing it provides for driving lanes and the pick-and-roll/pop. – 2:20 PM Arash Markazi @ArashMarkazi

Russell Westbrook said the Lakers could be “deadly” this season with Anthony Davis playing center. – 2:18 PM Arash Markazi @ArashMarkazi

Russell Westbrook: “There’s always been conversations about me coming home and to be able to sit here and in this Lakers uniform is a blessing.” pic.twitter.com/KDl4LjXL0z – 2:18 PM

© Provided by HoopsHype Ryan Ward @RyanWardLA

Russell Westbrook: “There’s always been conversations about me coming home. Every summer [laughs].” Calls it a “blessing” to be back home and play for the Lakers. – 2:17 PM Mike Trudell @LakersReporter

Westbrook said that he and LeBron, since the trade, have developed a real mutual understanding of each other’s work ethic, preparation and desire to win: “We both understand and know what it takes to be able to win, but ‘Bron understands what it takes to get to that next level.” – 2:17 PM Ryan Ward @RyanWardLA

Russell Westbrook on LeBron’s comments about him: “My job is to uplift LeBron, AD…” – 2:14 PM Ryan Ward @RyanWardLA

Russell Westbrook is up next… – 2:13 PM Mark Medina @MarkG_Medina

Wayne Ellington predicted the Lakers will experience “shooter’s paradise” with how much LeBron, AD & Westbrook will attract attention and how well they set up teammates – 1:53 PM StatMuse @statmuse

The Lakers jersey numbers:

0 — Westbrook

1 — Ariza

2 — Ellington

3 — AD

4 — Rondo

5 — THT

6 — LeBron

7 — Melo

9 — Baze

10 — DeAndre

11 — Monk

12 — Nunn

39 — Dwight

This HAS to be the lowest jersey number combination for a team in NBA history. pic.twitter.com/mnhCCgt3l0 – 1:40 PM

© Provided by HoopsHype Arash Markazi @ArashMarkazi

Trevor Ariza said Russell Westbrook called him after he got traded to the Lakers and said he wanted to talk to him. Ariza said, “What the fuck do you want to talk to me about?” ???? – 1:27 PM Ryan Ward @RyanWardLA

Trevor Ariza once again says Russell Westbrook was “on my phone” right after the blockbuster trade. Said it was probably Westbrook that helped him come back to LA. – 1:27 PM Mike Trudell @LakersReporter

In terms of fit with Westbrook, LeBron said it may not be “peanut butter and jelly” from the jump on the court in terms of who does what, but LeBron feels he always figures it out. Regardless of former teammates (Wade, Kyrie, AD, etc.), he eventually gets to the right balance. – 1:26 PM Kyle Goon @kylegoon

LeBron on his connectivity with Russell Westbrook: “We’ve been tied at the hip pretty much since we made the acquisition.” – 1:14 PM Ryan Ward @RyanWardLA

LeBron on Russell Westbrook: “Just his passion alone. … Very passionate about putting in the work.” – 1:14 PM Brad Turner @BA_Turner

“As far as Russ, we need Russ to be Russ,” LeBron James on Russell Westbrook. – 1:14 PM Ryan Ward @RyanWardLA

LeBron on Russell Westbrook: “We need Russ to be Russ.” – 1:13 PM Bill Oram @billoram

A new season is here. Get up to date on all things Lakers, including the covert pursuit of Russell Westbrook (and other stars) as well as the willingness to play center that Anthony Davis just discussed.

50% media day discount through the link:

theathletic.com/2848702/2021/0… – 1:10 PM

More on this storyline

Fred Katz: Here is what the final version of the five-team trade looks like, according to sources: Seven players Rights to three more Draft picks Draft swaps 18 total trade pieces pic.twitter.com/6Uoy74XMcr -via Twitter @FredKatz / August 5, 2021 Bobby Marks: Here is what the 5 teamer looks like To WASH Kuzma KCP Harrell Dinwiddie A. Holiday Rights to I. Todd (#31) To LAL Westbook To BKN 2024 2nd 2025 2nd (right to swap with GSW or WAS) $11.5M Trade Exception To IND Rights to I. Jackson (#22) To SAS C. Hutchison 2022 2nd (WAS) -via Twitter @BobbyMarks42 / August 4, 2021 Bobby Marks: Because there is no salary incoming, Brooklyn does not have to match salary. The Dinwiddie money was added to Kuzma, KCP, Harrell, Holiday to match the Westbrook contract. $49.7M to WASH $44.1M to LAL That falls within 125% -via Twitter @BobbyMarks42 / August 4, 2021

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Wizards GM: Russell Westbrook never asked to move on