OKC Thunder: Five Stats to Explain Their .500 Record

Nov 20, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) reacts after a play against the Indiana Pacers during the second quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 20, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) reacts after a play against the Indiana Pacers during the second quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /
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2. Russell Westbrook’s 41.7% Usage Rating

How many times have you yelled at Russell Westbrook through your television this season? 10 times? 20? Dare I say 100?

For those unfamiliar with usage rating, it is a stat that keeps track of how many possessions end with a player taking a shot, turning the ball over or shooting free throws. So before we take into account all of Russ’ drives into assists, Westbrook is directly accountable for the end of 2 of every 5 possessions.

Nov 5, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) watches his team play against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the fourth quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 5, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) watches his team play against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the fourth quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /

It is important to note that Russ is posting the highest Player Efficiency Rating so far this season. But for all of Russ’ heroics, it is coming at the expense of the rest of the team. When guys don’t get touches, they pout and don’t play as hard on defense (see Serge Ibaka). It also means that the Thunder are reverting back to their heavy-isolation style that plagued them with Durant in the fold; that can’t happen with a team with only one all-star.

Billy Donovan needs to do a better job of putting his players in better positions to score. As much as Westbrook can do, it hurts the other four guys growth to be standing around waiting for a pass. They need to use their athleticism by constantly moving off-ball; it would take a whole lot of stress off Russ and I’m sure we would see his PER rise even higher.