Views from OKC: Russell Westbrook is becoming too powerful

Views from OKC is a public diary from an OKC Thunder fan. Today we take a look at the enigma that is Russell Westbrook.

It’s really difficult to write a negative piece on a player that drops 35-14-14, has a +/- of +14 in 39 minutes yet still loses AND defends his teammate when asked a brutally honest question. Russell Westbrook did everything he could for the Thunder yesterday.

And that’s where the problem starts.

Before we get to the now-infamous press conference question (which I have incredibly mixed feelings about), I want to talk about the basketball that was played. Seems weird right?

The game

Russell Westbrook was brilliant in the first half, finishing with 17 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists. He only took 11 shots, making five, as the point guard was doing his duties and getting everybody involved. And it worked.

The Thunder shot over 50% from the field and 50% from three in that half, winning by 12 points in the 19 minutes Westbrook was on the court. Russ made his teammates legitimate weapons in the half: Steven Adams scored 12 of his 18 points and three other players scored 5+ points.

But when the half turned Westbrook’s play started to change, even though he had played a near-perfect half.

In the third quarter Russ took six shots, missing each one. In the fourth quarter that number jumped up to 11 attempts, including 7 of his 8 three-point attempts. He compiled only 4 assists that half as the team combined for 6 assists and 11 turnovers. The offense looked atrocious, and it all points back to Westbrook’s domination of the ball.

I don’t know why Westbrook believes he is the only person capable of hitting a shot in the fourth quarter, but it has been detrimental to this team in the playoffs. It’s too easy to stop a one-man show, especially when that one-man show is coupled with zero off-ball movement. Everybody on the Thunder knows when Russ is going to shoot so they make minimal effort to get open, and why would they?

I mean dog.

That’s a triple team. Russ has Victor Oladipo wide open in the corner and a wide open cutting Andre Roberson, yet he chooses to dribble out and shoot a contested three. There’s a reason the Thunder have been outscored in every single fourth quarter this series, with or without Russ.

This need for Russ to be the hero is crippling Oklahoma City come the fourth quarter. And Billy Donovan’s unwillingness to speak up shows who truly runs that team.

Michael Jordan trusted Steve Kerr. LeBron James trusted Ray Allen. With one loss separating us from the offseason, Russ needs to start trusting his teammates in the fourth quarter. You know, the way he talks in press conferences.

The press conference

https://twitter.com/NBAInside_Stuff/status/856353376363302912

As a player, having my teammate stick up for me like this is incredible. As a human being, watching Russ save Adams from a brutal question is heartwarming. But this can’t happen.

Russell Westbrook is showing that he dictates what is asked at press conferences. That’s not his job, that’s the Public Relations staff. Again, who really runs that organization?

MUST READ: Ranking Westbrook’s season to others from the 2010’s

As Westbrook has become more and more beloved in Oklahoma City he has gotten away with more and more. We used to hate Russ’ inconsistencies, but now we embrace it just because Kevin Durant left. Why must we be so one-sided?

Like Russ said, this isn’t Houston vs. Russ. This is Houston vs. Oklahoma City. Yes, Westbrook played an incredible game and was severely hurt by a historically awful playoff bench. But it’s time we hold him accountable for the things he can change.

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This is now two losses that could have been avoided if team basketball was played in the fourth quarter. Non-Westbrook players may be worse than Houston’s non-Harden players, but Russell Westbrook has the ability to bring them up a few levels. He does it through three quarters, but when the fourth quarter comes around we truly see that talent discrepancy.

It’s on Russ to make a change. At this point the MVP has become too powerful in Oklahoma City to have a negative word spoken about him. It’s why I’m in Ohio writing this.

Russ, I love you for everything you have done for us this season. You kept us relevant when history says you couldn’t. Buy you have to put your ego aside at this point – there’s a reason it says “Thunder” on the front of your jersey, on the court and around the arena. You may be THE guy in Oklahoma City, but you are still 1 of 15, just like you said.

Now play that way on Tuesday so the City that shelters you has an opportunity to watch you play at least one more time.