Straight up! I am not sure the Oklahoma City Thunder can win a title without Russell Westbrook. I, however, am not sure they can win one with him either.
Russ is Oklahoma's favorite adopted son. He is the dude who chose to stay as opposed to that mama's boy who bolted to No Cal so he could "coattail" the Splash Brothers for a ring (or two...or three).
But, as often is the case with sports teams' fans, some revisionist history has taken place.
When the "mama's boy" or cupcake as he has become known as in the Sooner state was here he was the golden boy. He was the ultimate good guy hero.
Westbrook, on the other hand, was the angry often sulky sidekick that was tolerated...barely.
After many a game radio stations, social media posts and online media comments sections were filled with fans bitchin and moanin about Russ' hero ball, excessive turnovers and mind numbingly dumb shot selection. It was pointed out a time or two how efficient Cupcake was whereas Westbrook would often have more turnovers than made field goals and took decidedly more shots.
Many fans constantly clamored for Westbrook to be traded because he was "selfish" and "costing the team wins". Both of whom it could be argued were objectively true.
But, on July 4, 2016 everything changed. Cupcake headed west for the Bay Area. This left Westbrook as the remaining star, which I personally believe he loved.
In a heartbeat public sentiment changed. The morose moody "little brother" became beloved because he was all OKC had.
He cemented his endearment to the fanbase by signing a year extension right before training camp started in September '16. He earned "favorite son" status by signing a max five year extension the following summer.
However, the last three years have been disappointing for Thunder fans. The team has reached the playoffs all three years but have been first round exits all three years as well.
After the 2017 season GM Sam Presti struck a deal for elite player, Paul George. George signed a four year deal last summer. However, the last two seasons were the same as the first after Cupcake left, which was solid regular seasons with first round playoff exits.
Here's the thing. I'm not solely blaming Russ for the early postseason exits. Head Coach, Billy Donovan, deserves some blame. Donovan is a great coach but his offensive scheme seems stale and predictable at times.
General Manager, Sam Presti, holds some culpability also. He has not put together a roster that is conducive to the current style of play in the NBA.
But, it could be argued both Donovan and Presti's failures are the result of capitulating or attempting to accommodate Westbrook's playing style.
All the criticisms fans possessed regarding Russ before the "great betrayal of 2016" are still present.
Sure, he's matured some but he still plays hero ball. Russ' shot selection is still mind boggling. His shooting percentage has gotten worse, not better.
Russ stans will be quick to point out the record breaking triple doubles as a defense for not only his production but against claims he is selfish. And, yes, the triple doubles are amazing. Stats don't lie. But, they always don't tell the whole story.
Yes, Russ has high assist totals but that's because he always has the ball in his hands. He also has a high turnover rate.
Russ scores lots of points but he also takes lots of shots. His usage rate is through the roof and his efficiency rate is garbage.
It's undeniably true Russ is one of the best rebounding guards in the Association. Also, his aggression causes him to often be in foul trouble and take unnecessary risks causing his transition defense to lack.
The Oklahoma City Thunder might be a lottery team without Russ. But, they also might be in the same position they are now. Why? Because Paul George is a selfless player who would facilitate and if he was paired with a similar minded point guard the offense would have more fluidity.
The OKC offense goes into extended periods of impotence because there is no ball movement. There are many possessions Westbrook has the ball entirely in his hands until the last couple of seconds of the shot clock. Some possessions the entire shot clock is used and only one guy touches the ball. You can't win games that way.
Say whatever you will about the manner Cupcake left the City, but his reasons for leaving were beyond valid. Not only that they have been proven to be accurate.
He went to Golden State citing he wanted to be in an offense that encouraged ball movement and unselfishness. Isolation ball was something that dominated the 1990s but in the current NBA it wasn't feasible. The three point shot is too much apart of the game and ball movement is vital. Because, the floor has to be open and spacing is necessary for the three point shot.
Mama's boy knew he was never going to reach the next level with a point guard who dominates the ball, doesn't move it and can't shoot. So, he chose to align with Steph Curry. And, if you know anything about basketball you would've too.
Look, Russ seems to be a good dude. He is certainly a great player. But, truth is, he's a flawed player and a flawed dude.
The chip he ostensibly has on his shoulder has gotten him to this point in his career. However, it's hindered him as well.
His "thing" with the media is tiresome. It's really tiresome when the Thunder's season is over before May.
His "next question" and blank stare act isn't entertaining. He's neither Bill Belichick nor Gregg Poppovich.
He comes across as an ass just like he did when he was the tolerated sidekick.
Westbrook's edgy play is entertaining and excitement inducing. It is also wearisome when he's shooting the team out of games or playing hero ball as he did in game 5 versus Portland. He takes a shot less than ten seconds into the shot clock of what was likely the team's last possession of the game never appearing to give a moment's consideration to giving the ball to the team's best player and shooter, Paul George.
So, it's not really difficult to see why Cupcake left.
Here's the tough reality. I don't see there being much light at the end of the tunnel anytime soon. Westbrook doesn't seem likely to change his ways. He is 31 years old. When similar hardheads, Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant, realized they can't do it alone they were much younger. And, oh, they had Phil Jackson whispering in the ear. Phil Jackson is not walking through the Chesapeake Arena doors.
Billy Donovan might be fired but what coach is going to be able to reach Russ and earn his respect?
What the roster needs is shooters. Today's NBA is about perimeter play and three pointers. First, will those type of players come to OKC knowing that one of the two stars is a ball hog who doesn't seem interested in creating space for his teammates? And, even if they are, OKC's cap situation is awful! Steven Adams and Andre Roberson's contracts are albatrosses and damn near unmovable.
Some angry Thunder fans want Westbrook traded. That is not going to happen. For starters Russ is an icon here and the rebuilding effort will not be quick enough to ensure fan retention. More importantly Presti wouldn't get many takers and those who would bite simply cannot offer anything close to equal value.
Reality is the Thunder will be in the one position no professional franchise wants to be in, mediocrity. They're not good enough to legitimately contend but they're not bad enough to be a lottery team.
Adams and Roberson's contracts will expire in two seasons. The Thunder can hope the salary cap will be expanded enough they can add a couple of solid midlevel players to go along with Westbrook and George before the prime of their careers start to descend.
Until then it will likely be 46 to 50 win seasons which will earn a four to six seed and first round playoff losses to young borderline title contending teams much like we've seen the last two years with Utah and Portland.
Russ is a stud. He's apart of the solution. But, what Thunder brass and fans must accept is he's also apart of the problem.
Russ is Oklahoma's favorite adopted son. He is the dude who chose to stay as opposed to that mama's boy who bolted to No Cal so he could "coattail" the Splash Brothers for a ring (or two...or three).
But, as often is the case with sports teams' fans, some revisionist history has taken place.
When the "mama's boy" or cupcake as he has become known as in the Sooner state was here he was the golden boy. He was the ultimate good guy hero.
Westbrook, on the other hand, was the angry often sulky sidekick that was tolerated...barely.
After many a game radio stations, social media posts and online media comments sections were filled with fans bitchin and moanin about Russ' hero ball, excessive turnovers and mind numbingly dumb shot selection. It was pointed out a time or two how efficient Cupcake was whereas Westbrook would often have more turnovers than made field goals and took decidedly more shots.
Many fans constantly clamored for Westbrook to be traded because he was "selfish" and "costing the team wins". Both of whom it could be argued were objectively true.
But, on July 4, 2016 everything changed. Cupcake headed west for the Bay Area. This left Westbrook as the remaining star, which I personally believe he loved.
In a heartbeat public sentiment changed. The morose moody "little brother" became beloved because he was all OKC had.
He cemented his endearment to the fanbase by signing a year extension right before training camp started in September '16. He earned "favorite son" status by signing a max five year extension the following summer.
However, the last three years have been disappointing for Thunder fans. The team has reached the playoffs all three years but have been first round exits all three years as well.
After the 2017 season GM Sam Presti struck a deal for elite player, Paul George. George signed a four year deal last summer. However, the last two seasons were the same as the first after Cupcake left, which was solid regular seasons with first round playoff exits.
Here's the thing. I'm not solely blaming Russ for the early postseason exits. Head Coach, Billy Donovan, deserves some blame. Donovan is a great coach but his offensive scheme seems stale and predictable at times.
General Manager, Sam Presti, holds some culpability also. He has not put together a roster that is conducive to the current style of play in the NBA.
But, it could be argued both Donovan and Presti's failures are the result of capitulating or attempting to accommodate Westbrook's playing style.
All the criticisms fans possessed regarding Russ before the "great betrayal of 2016" are still present.
Sure, he's matured some but he still plays hero ball. Russ' shot selection is still mind boggling. His shooting percentage has gotten worse, not better.
Russ stans will be quick to point out the record breaking triple doubles as a defense for not only his production but against claims he is selfish. And, yes, the triple doubles are amazing. Stats don't lie. But, they always don't tell the whole story.
Yes, Russ has high assist totals but that's because he always has the ball in his hands. He also has a high turnover rate.
Russ scores lots of points but he also takes lots of shots. His usage rate is through the roof and his efficiency rate is garbage.
It's undeniably true Russ is one of the best rebounding guards in the Association. Also, his aggression causes him to often be in foul trouble and take unnecessary risks causing his transition defense to lack.
The Oklahoma City Thunder might be a lottery team without Russ. But, they also might be in the same position they are now. Why? Because Paul George is a selfless player who would facilitate and if he was paired with a similar minded point guard the offense would have more fluidity.
The OKC offense goes into extended periods of impotence because there is no ball movement. There are many possessions Westbrook has the ball entirely in his hands until the last couple of seconds of the shot clock. Some possessions the entire shot clock is used and only one guy touches the ball. You can't win games that way.
Say whatever you will about the manner Cupcake left the City, but his reasons for leaving were beyond valid. Not only that they have been proven to be accurate.
He went to Golden State citing he wanted to be in an offense that encouraged ball movement and unselfishness. Isolation ball was something that dominated the 1990s but in the current NBA it wasn't feasible. The three point shot is too much apart of the game and ball movement is vital. Because, the floor has to be open and spacing is necessary for the three point shot.
Mama's boy knew he was never going to reach the next level with a point guard who dominates the ball, doesn't move it and can't shoot. So, he chose to align with Steph Curry. And, if you know anything about basketball you would've too.
Look, Russ seems to be a good dude. He is certainly a great player. But, truth is, he's a flawed player and a flawed dude.
The chip he ostensibly has on his shoulder has gotten him to this point in his career. However, it's hindered him as well.
His "thing" with the media is tiresome. It's really tiresome when the Thunder's season is over before May.
His "next question" and blank stare act isn't entertaining. He's neither Bill Belichick nor Gregg Poppovich.
He comes across as an ass just like he did when he was the tolerated sidekick.
Westbrook's edgy play is entertaining and excitement inducing. It is also wearisome when he's shooting the team out of games or playing hero ball as he did in game 5 versus Portland. He takes a shot less than ten seconds into the shot clock of what was likely the team's last possession of the game never appearing to give a moment's consideration to giving the ball to the team's best player and shooter, Paul George.
So, it's not really difficult to see why Cupcake left.
Here's the tough reality. I don't see there being much light at the end of the tunnel anytime soon. Westbrook doesn't seem likely to change his ways. He is 31 years old. When similar hardheads, Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant, realized they can't do it alone they were much younger. And, oh, they had Phil Jackson whispering in the ear. Phil Jackson is not walking through the Chesapeake Arena doors.
Billy Donovan might be fired but what coach is going to be able to reach Russ and earn his respect?
What the roster needs is shooters. Today's NBA is about perimeter play and three pointers. First, will those type of players come to OKC knowing that one of the two stars is a ball hog who doesn't seem interested in creating space for his teammates? And, even if they are, OKC's cap situation is awful! Steven Adams and Andre Roberson's contracts are albatrosses and damn near unmovable.
Some angry Thunder fans want Westbrook traded. That is not going to happen. For starters Russ is an icon here and the rebuilding effort will not be quick enough to ensure fan retention. More importantly Presti wouldn't get many takers and those who would bite simply cannot offer anything close to equal value.
Reality is the Thunder will be in the one position no professional franchise wants to be in, mediocrity. They're not good enough to legitimately contend but they're not bad enough to be a lottery team.
Adams and Roberson's contracts will expire in two seasons. The Thunder can hope the salary cap will be expanded enough they can add a couple of solid midlevel players to go along with Westbrook and George before the prime of their careers start to descend.
Until then it will likely be 46 to 50 win seasons which will earn a four to six seed and first round playoff losses to young borderline title contending teams much like we've seen the last two years with Utah and Portland.
Russ is a stud. He's apart of the solution. But, what Thunder brass and fans must accept is he's also apart of the problem.
