Time for OKC Thunder to Shake Up the Starting Lineup?

Mar 25, 2014; Dallas, TX, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) talk with guard Reggie Jackson (15) during a timeout from the game in the second quarter against the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

Option 1: Move Reggie Jackson to Point Guard, Westbrook to Shooting Guard

This has been a suggestion for years and on the surface it somewhat works. First, it would solve the pre-eminent chemistry issue with the team. Jackson has made it abundantly clear that he wants to start, so the team could consider that box “checked”. While the Thunder would still need to pay the mercurial combo guard, they would at least have a leg up on re-signing him.

Furthermore, it’s already become abundantly clear that Reggie and Dion don’t function very well on the court together. It’s likely the redundancy in their skill set, given that if one of the two is handling the ball (something they both love to do), it means that the other is being forced to sit in the corner as an off-the-ball, catch-and-shoot player, something neither one does very well at all. Moving one of the two into the starting lineup only stands to benefit both players.

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That’s not to say it’s a universal fit. Jackson will always be a minus defender. He is currently getting scorched to the tune of giving up 105 points per 100 possessions on defense. This would put even more pressure on an already-overworked Westbrook to guard an opponent’s best perimeter player. It probably won’t be an issue immediately but, as the playoffs loom, rest is going to become a large factor in the West. The Thunder can’t afford for Westbrook to take on more of a burden than the MVP candidate has already incurred.

It would also take the ball out of Westbrook’s hands as the team’s chief facilitator. While Jackson is a capable ball handler and has shown a knack for getting to the rim, the last two wins against the Magic and the Pelicans are picturesque examples of how devastating Russ is as the team’s primary ball handler. Moving to an off the ball position is not taking advantage of his breathtaking athleticism and speed. It would be a disservice to the Thunder’s overall explosiveness to have him off the ball.

Bottom line: Reggie makes sense in the starting lineup on a lot of levels…but he would force Westbrook to do too much defensively and take too much away from Westbrook offensively to be a viable starting option.

Next: Anthony Morrow...a Starter?