“It starts with me”: the growth of Russell Westbrook

In the post game media conference following the Oklahoma City loss to San Antonio, Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook took the podium. I was difficult to hear the entire question, but my guess is that Westbrook was asked what cost Oklahoma City the game. Missed shots and poor execution were the immediate answers, then Westbrook said something that he would not have said a couple of years ago, “It starts with me. I have to do a better job.”

On this point, Westbrook is not wrong. A superstar on the team cannot go 10-31 (32.3%) from the field and expect to beat the San Antonio Spurs. Fortunately, Game 3 saw Durant closer to his normal level and a repeat of Game 1 did not happen. Yes it was a loss, but it was a close loss.

It is a little concerning that there seems to be a little bit of discontent within the OKC ranks at the moment. First in the Game 2 win Westbrook and Durant were arguing on the sidelines.

Then in Game 3 Steven Adams turns and mouths some words to Westbrook with a displeased look on his face. If I was Westbrook, I could handle the argument with Durant but if the wild haired, moustached Kiwi was to look at me this way, I would be more than a little scared and I have faced down some huge dudes in my job.

It is refreshing to hear a professional athlete say that the performance has to improve, starting with him or her. Taking ownership is a sign of maturity, a sign of leadership and a sign of personal growth, and it is a good thing.

Westbrook is always going to take the load on his shoulders. He will always back himself to beat his opponent, starting with his incredible first step. When he loses that, and barring a complete change in playing style, his prime will be shorter than other stars of the same stature. However, when Westbrook drives, good defensive teams like the Spurs get two or three guys in his way, causing Westbrook to miss a shot he normally would make. Westbrook needs to remember that when the opposition has collapsed on him, his teammates are open. More open shots correlate with shots going in. More shots going in means defenders don’t feel that they can help (like Tony Parker, Danny Green or Kawhi Leonard) and Westbrook gets the easier look next time.

I would not presume to tell Russell Westbrook, the superstar point guard from Oklahoma City and one who buried the Mavericks in Game 5, how to play basketball more than I would teach Durant how to shoot. I can, however, separate my emotions and coldly analyze what I see on the court. No matter which team takes the series, it will not be won or lost on the back of one man. It will be won or lost on an entire team, specifically the one that executes their plays at a higher level. Westbrook needs to become the monster that he is; the stat line of 31 points, nine rebounds and eight assists is a big start. If Westbrook was to have those numbers on 21 shots, the Thunder win. Ten shots with open looks for almost anyone in the NBA would result in five or six of these being made.

I still feel as though Russell Westbrook is the best all around point guard in the league. He is always near the top of the lists in points (8th), assists (2nd), steals (5th) and rebounds (35th). However, he needs to remember that no man is an island, and he always has four extremely willing and able teammates on the floor with him at any one time to share the load.

Next: OKC rides Durant to Game 4 victory

I wrote this article prior to Game 4 and Westbrook’s game was highly encouraging. Westbrook’s shooting was again off against the Spurs, going 5-18 for the night. He was 2-9 after the first half. However, he was a master facilitator for the night, 15 assists compared to only 3 turnovers, and the whole Spurs team had 12. Rather than try to take it all on board himself, he let Durant do his thing, and when Durant is hot, 41 points on 14-25 shooting, a win usually results. He allowed Dion Waiters to heat up as well, scoring 17 points on 7-11 shooting.

It is not often that Westbrook is the fourth highest scorer, but against the Spurs in Game 4 Durant had 41, Waiters had 17, Adams had 16 (11 rebounds) and Westbrook had 14. Durant will lead the team to greater things, Adams will be the glue, Westbrook will be the man who starts it all.