“Just do whatever Russ tells you to do,” Sacramento Kings rookie Maxime Raynaud joked when asked how he’s progressed in the pick-and-roll. “Whatever he says, you do it, and it works just fine.”
While some fans have been frustrated with the Russell Westbrook experience this season, it’s undeniable how much he’s helped Sacramento’s young players, both on and off the floor.
Playing in his 18th NBA season, the future Hall of Famer has nine All-Star and All-NBA appearances, two scoring titles, three assists titles, the 2016-17 MVP Award, and was named to the NBA’s 75th anniversary team.
For Raynaud, Nique Clifford, and Dylan Cardwell (the Kings’ rookie trio), along with some of the other younger players on the roster, they grew up watching Westbrook’s prime and have tremendous respect for his skillset. The same could be said about DeMar DeRozan, but Westbrook reached different heights than him, and the attention was centered around him on Tuesday night as he climbed to 5th all-time in assists, surpassing Mark Jackson and Steve Nash.
“It really don’t even feel real,” Clifford said regarding being teammates with Westbrook, getting to watch him climb the all-time charts.
“Being around a guy like Russ, obviously, it teaches me more of how to do that and how to impact the game in various ways. “It’s special to be a part of that, like we are really a part of history. He’s making his legacy, displaying his greatness on a night-to-night basis, breaking records, him and (DeRozan). So for us to be a part of that, I mean, we can’t take that for granted. It’s pretty special to be around Hall of Fame-level dudes like him. So it’s just really special to watch and be able to play with a guy like that.”
As Doug Christie, their head coach, has often mentioned, their impact goes well beyond what’s seen on the court. To Westbrook’s point earlier this season, we are not in their film sessions and don’t know the full extent of what goes on behind closed doors. Yet, given how the rookies have gushed about getting the opportunity to see both him and DeRozan work, it’s safe to assume that it’s leaving a lasting impact on them that should last throughout their careers.
For Raynaud specifically, playing a two-man game with Westbrook has helped unlock his scoring ability. There have been various instances where you can see the veteran coaching up his big on proper spacing, timing, and decision-making on a night-to-night basis.
What better player to learn from? He’s developed chemistry with a handful of big men throughout his career, from Steven Adams, Enes Kanter, Serge Ibaka, Clint Capela, and Alex Len to Anthony Davis and many others in between. There’s no coverage or scenario that Westbrook hasn’t experienced and likely has a preplanned counter to implement.
Whether Westbrook returns to the Kings next season or not — he’s on an expiring one-year deal — the young players on this team will take the things they learned from playing with and closely observing one of the best point guards of all-time for the rest of their careers.
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When is the next Sacramento Kings game?
The Sacramento Kings will continue a three-game homestand on Thursday night when they face the Philadelphia 76ers. at Golden 1 Center.
Philadelphia claimed the lone regular-season matchup between these two teams on January 29th, winning by a final of 113-111 at Xfinity Mobile Arena.
Be sure to catch all of the Sacramento Kings vs. Philadelphia 76ers action right here on Sactown Sports 1140 AM, with pregame coverage beginning at 5:30 PM PT on Game Night before a 7:00 pm PT tip-off from downtown Sacramento.
Upcoming Sacramento Kings schedule for the 2025-26 season
Thursday, March 19th vs. Philadelphia 76ers – 7:00 PM PT
Sunday, March 22nd vs. Brooklyn Nets – 3:00 PM PT
Tuesday, March 24th – @ Charlotte Hornets – 4:00 PM PT
Thursday, March 26th – @ Orlando Magic – 4:00 PM PT
Saturday, March 28th – @ Brooklyn Nets – 4:00 PM PT
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