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Washington Wizards: Russell Westbrook is an enigma

By N.B. Lindberg

SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH - APRIL 12: Russell Westbrook #4 of the Washington Wizards looks toward the fans before a game against the Utah Jazz at Vivint Smart Home Arena on April 12, 2021 in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH - APRIL 12: Russell Westbrook #4 of the Washington Wizards looks toward the fans before a game against the Utah Jazz at Vivint Smart Home Arena on April 12, 2021 in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images) /
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Washington Wizards
Russell Westbrook #4 of the Washington Wizards (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images) /

Russell Westbrook’s passing is still a strength

As the shooting metrics bear out, the current version of Westbrook needs to be elite at generating offense through passing just to not be a net negative on his team’s offense. Fortunately for the Wizards, he is leading the league in assists but it comes with a slight caveat.

Westbrook not only leads the league in assists but also turnovers. As a player, he seems incapable of separating the good from the bad. For every 2.33 assists he provides he gives up one turnover. That’s by no means a backbreaking ratio but it takes a chunk out of his offense value when he really needs his passing to make up for the points he gives up through shooting.

For the season, the Washington Wizards have averaged 14.6 turnovers a game which leads to 17.8 points for their opponents. An average Wizards’ turnover leads to 1.22 points and takes taking away an opportunity for them to score.

The Wizards average 116.5 points per game on 90.7 shot attempts and 26.4 free throws. Assuming that all of their free throws are on two-point attempts (this obviously isn’t true but for simplicity’s sake), then the Wizards average around 1.12 points per offensive possession that doesn’t end in a turnover. In essence, every turnover that Westbrook gives up is worth 2.34 points for the other team.

Westbrook has generated 1621 points off his assists this season but he has cost his team 704.34 points through his turnovers. His passing, by this measure, has still produced 916.66 points for the Wizards but that doesn’t take into account what the league average mark is.

Westbrook is by all accounts an incredibly productive offensive contributor through his passing, but when paired with his dismal shooting, which has cost the Wizards 162.6 points compared to an average shooter, his overall offensive impact is severely muted.

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