Thunderous Intentions
Fansided

Five stats that correlate with Thunder wins/losses

By Tony Heim

Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 6
Next
Feb 3, 2017; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) walks onto the court prior to the start of the game against the Memphis Grizzlies at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 3, 2017; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) walks onto the court prior to the start of the game against the Memphis Grizzlies at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /

4. The Thunder are 10-11 when Westbrook takes 25+ shots

When Russ takes 25+ shots it’s for one of two reasons.

The first is something we all love: Russ on fire. For the sake of this exercise, we’ll call 50% “on fire” for 25+ shots. This season he has done that three times. Unsurprisingly the Thunder are 3-0 in those games. If we loosen the parameters to 40%, they are 6-3. But that’s not my point.

Follow Thunderous Intentions on Facebook and Twitter

My point is that when Russ shoots 25 times, he’s more likely to shoot under 40% than over. And the Thunder are 4-8 when he’s in the under. That’s not good. When Westbrook gets into one of these moods it zaps any sort of team chemistry from the offense.

I’m all for him shooting away when he’s actually hitting shots at this rate.

But more often than not he isn’t making these shots. More importantly, this isn’t good for the development of the Thunder’s young roster. Now is the time that Victor Oladipo and Steven Adams are supposed to be learning how to play together, not just watching Russ go iso.

And this isn’t all Russ’ fault. Billy Donovan also has to do a better job of getting all of his players involved on offense when Westbrook isn’t hitting. My big knock on Donovan is his ability to develop players, and the current offense doesn’t help that.

Bonus Stat: The Thunder are 9-3 when Westbrook shoots less than 5 threes. They’ve won the last eight.

Home/Thunder News