1 out of 16 in two games! Terrible, absolutely terrible! Westbrook is poised to take over successfully.

FIBA excellence, NBA disaster.

In the last two games, he went 0 for 10 with 2 points, 2 rebounds, and 8 assists, and then 1 for 6 with 3 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 assists,making just 1 shot out of 16 attempts in live play....These are the numbers posted by Schröder, the EuroBasket MVP and Kings’ starting point guard.

This summer, Schröder signed a three-year $45 million deal with the Kings. So far this season, he’s averaging 12.7 points, 3.6 rebounds, 6.5 assists, 2.2 turnovers, and 1.2 steals per game, shooting 39.2% from the field, 28.3% from three, and 88.9% from the free-throw line. Under his leadership, the team currently holds a 3-7 record, sitting 13th in the Western Conference.

However, in some ways, this is beneficial because the worse Schröder performs, the greater the chance Westbrook gets to become the starting point guard.

In fact, so far, Westbrook has started 5 of the 10 games he has played for the Kings, filling in as the starting power forward with surprisingly excellent results.

Between November 4th and 8th, Westbrook started all three games, posting 26 points, 12 rebounds, and 6 assists; 23 points, 16 rebounds, and 10 assists; and 24 points, 6 rebounds, and 9 assists respectively.

Up to now, Westbrook is averaging 28 minutes per game this season, contributing 15 points, 6.4 rebounds, 5.5 assists, 2.9 turnovers, and 1.2 steals per game, with a shooting percentage of 46.6%. He also averages 2.3 three-pointers per game at 45.1% shooting. All this on a minimum veteran salary contract with no guarantees, making his cost-effectiveness outstanding. Many are urging the Kings to officially secure his starting spot.

But the Kings seem to have other plans. Despite Westbrook’s strong performances in the three consecutive starts mentioned above, he was suddenly moved to the bench in the recent 117-144 loss to the Timberwolves. In that game, likely affected by this change, he only managed 6 points, 1 assist, 1 steal, and 1 block in less than 16 minutes on the court.

Could it be that Westbrook is too dominant, interfering with the Kings’ tanking strategy?

If the Kings have no intention to win and no plan to officially promote Westbrook, it would be better to cut ties quickly. Westbrook’s market value is currently high, and entering free agency now would make him a hot commodity, giving him a chance to join a championship contender instead of wasting his limited playing years on a struggling team.

An old Ferrari is still a Ferrari.

At 36 years old, Westbrook has earned back the respect he rightfully deserves through his sheer ability.