Orlando Magic rookie Cole Anthony returned to the lineup on Wednesday after missing the past 25 games with a rib injury, and drew quite an assignment on the court: Guarding Russell Westbrook.
Anthony produced 13 points, seven assists and one rebound in 25 minutes of work during the 131-116 loss to the Washington Wizards. He finished the contest by shooting 5-of-14 from the field, including 2-of-4 from 3-point range.
The 15th overall pick checked into the game in the first quarter, and immediately went to work. He scored seven points within a two-minute span and even whipped out a flashy crossover that had Wizards guard Garrison Mathews dancing.
Cole Anthony is BACK 🔥 pic.twitter.com/9zrQBYZPKe
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) April 7, 2021
Throughout his 25 minutes on the court, Anthony was matched up on Westbrook periodically and saw firsthand how tough it is to guard him. Westbrook made it look easy after finishing with 23 points, 15 assists and 14 rebounds to lead the Wizards to the win.
“That dude is an animal,” Anthony said of Westbrook. “Anybody who tries to disrespect him needs to watch basketball, watch him play. That dude is an animal. He competes on both ends of the floor and is just really, really good.”
Afterward, Anthony had the opportunity to catch up with Westbrook. Anthony first met Westbrook in high school and has kept in contact with him over the years. The two players shared a short conversation as the former MVP offered some words of advice for the rookie.
He was just telling me: ‘Be you, be aggressive and allow that to create for your teammates.’ I told him, ‘Yo, this summer I want to try to work with you.’ I want to work with all of the elite talent I can, someone who has been through the whole path and still doing everything what I want to do. I got nothing but respect for him but shout out to Westbrook.
The opportunity to play Westbrook figures to go a long way in helping Anthony develop. Of course, getting into the gym with him over the offseason probably won’t hurt his development, either…
This post originally appeared on Rookie Wire! Follow us on Facebook!
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