There is something missing in Brooklyn. It is not just a point guard or a superstar level player. It is a heartbeat. The Nets have been walking around like a team on autopilot, they have some nice pieces, clean jerseys, but no soul. If they want to change that, they need to bring in someone who still plays like every possession could be his last. Russell Westbrook is that guy.
Yeah, yeah, we all know he is not that same player he once was. He is 36 years old. He is not the walking triple-double machine anymore. But that is fine because that is not what Brooklyn needs right now. What they need is leadership, toughness, and someone who’s going to light a fire under a young, directionless roster.
Westbrook has reached the point in his career where he does not need to dominate to matter. Look at this past season and what he just did in Denver. He accepted a role off the bench, played with intensity, mentored younger guys, and still brought chaos in the best possible way. He also has the ability to fill the scoreboard still even if it is not at a high level it once was at. His three-point shot? Actually better than expected, 32.3% on the year. Not Steph Curry numbers of course, but not a liability either.
More importantly, he plays with pride.
It is clear that he still plays with pride. You could see it every time he hit the floor. That kind of edge is exactly what Brooklyn needs, especially if D’Angelo Russell doesn’t return. The Nets are staring down a big hole at point guard, and while they might plug it through the draft or a smaller signing, Westbrook gives them something those options don’t which is a sense of personality and accountability.
Think of what Chris Paul has done over the last few years. He has walked into young locker rooms, slowed the game down, and raised everyone’s game without always being the best player. Paul has mentored stars like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Devin Booker, and Victor Wembanyama, helping them grow into leaders and top-tier players. Westbrook could do that too, just in a way that is louder, faster, and maybe a little messier. Brooklyn’s young talent, especially Cam Thomas, could benefit hugely from having a veteran like Russ pushing them to raise their game every day.
Why Russ is the man for the job
This team doesn’t need polish right now. It needs grit. It needs someone who’s not afraid to speak up, take over a practice, or go full-speed in a game from start to finish no matter the score. Westbrook’s been that guy his whole career, and in this new stage, he could be the exact vet the Nets need.
Remember it is not always about making moves to chase titles right away. It is about changing the culture. Brooklyn has the pieces. Westbrook has the passion. Put them together, and maybe, things start to feel alive again.