Last year Russell Westbrook was the regular season MVP after a historic season where he averaged a triple double, the first man to complete this feat since Oscar Robertson in 1962. It was a season of redemption for Westbrook as the narrative was that Kevin Durant had left in the summer of 2016 because of Westbrook. Durant no longer wanted to compete with Westbrook over who was the alpha male of the Thunder and who takes the last shot. Instead choosing to leave for the Warriors who have created a team mentality, with less focus on isolation Basketball and empathising ball movement. With the departure of his co-star Westbrook was unleashed. He led the league in usage rate last season and relished the responsibility of being the team’s only established star, for the first time in his career.  

 

 

However, all the individual statistics and personal achievements for Westbrook did not lead to team success, and the Thunder were bounced out of the playoffs in the first round. OKC had a decision to make. Westbrook only had a year left on his contract and would become a free agent in 2018. They did not want to lose another star for nothing. They offered Westbrook a 5-year contract extension worth 205 million, as well as recruiting perennial all-stars Paul George and Carmelo Anthony. Along with the emerging Steven Adams, Westbrook had looked to have the supporting cast to challenge Golden State. It was his chance to prove to the doubters, that he could play with other superstars after the loss of Kevin Durant.  

 

However the Thunder have had an inconsistent season. During the start of the year Westbrook was trying to incorporate George and Anthony and they started the season impressively, trouncing the Knicks in their opening game. Former NBA player Tim Legler commented after the game that OKC had the celling to be the 2^nd best team in the NBA. Yet, as the trade deadline approached after Christmas, things were starting to fall apart. The chemistry had not developed between the 3 stars as expected and they certainly weren’t the 2^nd best team in the league. There were rumours that GM, Sam Presti, was considering trading George with the fear of losing him for nothing in the summer. However the trade deadline passed and no moves were made. Westbrook continued to put up incredible numbers and whenever he got a triple double the Thunder tended to win.  

 

 

However Westbrook was shooting 29.3 per cent from 3 for the season and Carmelo was struggling to adapt to being the 3^rd scoring option for the 1^st time in his career. The Thunder have been on a slump recently and still haven’t seemed to fix their chemistry issues. Another problem is execution in late game situations. Westbrook’s decision making in the 4^th quarter has been heavily scrutinised throughout his career and has cost them playoff games in the past. His aggressive play style and ferocious mentality does not always lead to making the right play. He recently cost the Thunder two crucial games against Western conference rivals the Spurs and the Nuggets. He missed a number of 3 point shots, and continues to take them at a high volume despite being statistically one of the worst shooters in the league. He also committed crucial turnovers; his ego is unable to let him defer to others despite George and Carmelo both shooting well in both games.  

 

 

In Steven Adams the Thunder have a centre that can worry any team in the league. As well as three legitimate scoring options. They have proved at times this season that they can be a real threat to anyone in the league and have beaten both the Warriors and the Cavs this season. However whether they can do this over a 7 game series is another matter. Westbrook needs to be able to relinquish some of his control of the team and this needs to come from the coach Billy Donavon. Too often it seems that Donavon is afraid to coach Westbrook in the 4^th quarter.  

 

 

The pick and roll with Adams, which works so effectively is underused in the 4^th quarter and is definitely something they need to address. Carmelo and George need to be given a role that requires them to be more than just spot up shooters and their ball movement needs to improve. Their defense and talent is undeniably one of the best in the league and no one will want to face them in the 1st round. But unless Westbrook can change his mentality I don’t see them winning in late game situations, something you need to be able to do in the playoffs.