Report: Rockets’ Russell Westbrook will not play in Monday’s preseason game vs. Shanghai Sharks

The Houston Rockets don’t plan to trot out newly acquired star Russell Westbrook in Monday’s preseason game against the Shanghai Sharks, according to ESPN’s Tim MacMahon. The organization is exercising proper caution, given that Westbrook was recently cleared to take up five-on-five workouts.

Westbrook’s easy-going schedule was largely expected, considering he’s coming off yet another arthroscopic knee surgery in the spring. At age 30, the Rockets are better off considering the state of his all-around health and readiness for the regular season.

Many are wondering how Westbrook will look playing next to James Harden, another ball-dominant player. Rockets general manager Daryl Morey and head coach Mike D’Antoni insist they will use Harden and Westbrook in ways that highlight their own individual traits — allowing for Harden’s dominance in the half court while making use of Westbrook’s otherworldly end-to-end speed for transition opportunities.

If it proves effective, the Rockets could have a very interesting and somewhat individualistic one-two punch with these two former MVPs, able to hurt teams with speed in transition or lethal artillery in isolation play.

Houston has beaten Shanghai handily in past preseasons, and it’s unlikely Westbrook missing this game will make a difference in his tune-up for regular-season action. Morey also hinted at potentially load managing his stars through the course of the season, which means Westbrook and possibly Harden could be sitting out some games while healthy just to preserve some energy for the much-awaited postseason.

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