Oklahoma City Thunder: 5 takeaways from 2017-18 NBA season
By Simon Smith
1. Russell Westbrook needs to change
On the surface, averaging 25.4 points, 10.3 assists and 10.1 assists per game represents an incredible season for Westbrook.
In his 10th season with the Thunder, Westbrook followed up his MVP season of 2016-17 by compiling another incredible season in a statistical sense. However, while his field goal attempts per game dropped from 24.0 to 21.1 per game, his play in the postseason is what generated the most discussion.
Over the Thunder’s unsuccessful six-game series loss to the Utah Jazz, Westbrook averaged 29.3 points, 12.0 rebounds and 7.5 assists. However, he also shot at a 39.8 percent clip from the field on 26.8 attempts per game, while also averaging 5.2 turnovers per game.
In particular, it was Westbrook’s out-of-control performance in their season-ending Game 6, where Westbrook launched 43 field goal attempts, including a preposterous 19 attempts from long range. While he wound up finishing with 46 points and 10 rebounds, the rest of the team suffered mightily as a result.
Most shots in a playoff game (active players)
— Ben Golliver (@BenGolliver) April 28, 2018
1. Russell Westbrook - 43 - 2018 Game 6 vs. Jazz
2. Russell Westbrook - 43 - 2017 Game 2 vs. Rockets
3. Russell Westbrook - 39 - 2018 Game 5 vs. Jazz pic.twitter.com/6yjtvCIutd
Following the Thunder’s elimination, many prominent media figures were quick to express their thoughts on Westbrook’s performance:
Russ finished with 43 shots - in the last 50 years only 2 guys have ever taken more in a playoff game. This is not a good blueprint for any playoff team.
— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) April 28, 2018
@ryenarussillo basketball is jazz, not a solo. One guy doing everything may sound great on his own but until everyone's sound is synchronized properly the end result is not special. Guys like Magic and Bird are credited for saving the league for that exact reason. We, not me.
— david b. thorpe (@coachthorpe) April 28, 2018
I don’t know how anyone would want to play with him. That was gross.
— Russillo (@ryenarussillo) April 28, 2018
In fact, over the course of the regular season, the Thunder were 20-2 when Westbrook attempted 17 or less field goals, and 27-31 when he launched 18 or more attempts from the field.
Furthermore, what appeared in the opening paragraphs from a piece by ESPN‘s Zach Lowe titled, “Russell Westbrook can’t be OKC’s entire system anymore,” shortly after the Game 6 debacle, more or less sums up the feeling of many onlookers:
"“Facing elimination….Westbrook attempted a jaw-dropping 43 shots. He somehow launched 19 triples. He made seven. Utah coaches and players were happy with almost all of them. There is something wrong with this. Just how wrong it is, why the Thunder still play this way, and what it means for their uncertain future are matters of debate.”"
As discussed, the Thunder and Westbrook could potentially enter next season without the services of both George and Anthony. After the departure of Kevin Durant in 2016, it shouldn’t take the potential loss of another superstar in George for Westbrook and the Thunder to realize that something needs to change in the methods employed by their overpowering floor leader.
Next: Full two-round 2018 NBA Mock Draft
In the meantime, the Thunder can only sit back and hope that the cards fall their way in the free agency period, with the immediate future of the franchise seemingly hanging in the balance.