The OKC Thunder Need Russell Westbrook To Get Triple-Doubles

*Well…sort of. While Russell Westbrook clearly doesn’t need to dominate the game the way he did last year, his ability to take over in all facets remains crucial to the Thunder’s success.

As the new-look Thunder continue to figure things out, trends have started to emerge. One noticeable one, is that the Thunder are a much better team when Russell Westbrook gets triple-doubles. They are 4-0 when he records a triple-double this season, and 0-4 when he doesn’t.

(Note: this article was composed prior to Sunday loss to Blazers and all stats reflect prior data)

Yes, it’s a small sample size, but it goes back to last season as well. The Thunder were 33-9 when Westbrook had a triple-double, and 13-25 when he didn’t record one.

This has long remained a subject of debate. It was clear the organization was invested in Westbrook breaking the record for most triple-doubles in a season, while also averaging one. The team let him get easy rebounds of missed free-throws and he frequently left his man on defense to get in a better position to grab more boards. Westbrook also went out of his way to get assists when any basket would suffice.

The legitimacy behind Westbrook’s historic season is a different discussion. The fact of the matter is that the Thunder have won 80 percent of its games over the last two seasons when Westbrook gets a triple-double. With the additions of Paul George and Carmelo Anthony, Westbrook clearly doesn’t need to do as much to ensure a Thunder victory. That being said, the more Westbrook stuffs the stat sheet, triple-double or not, the Thunder are more likely to win. Let’s take a look as to why that is.

His Rebounding Is Essential

Russell Westbrook may go down as the best rebounding point guard ever to play the game. His freakish athleticism and will to win allow him to get after boards most guards and some forwards aren’t capable of grabbing.

An unsettling trend early this season is that the Thunder have struggled on is the defensive glass. Through eight games, only six teams average fewer defensive rebounds per game than Oklahoma City’s 32.1. Consequently, the Thunder are allowing 13.3 second-chance points per game, ranking 12th worst in the league.

Take the Thunder’s crushing 115-113 loss against Minnesota. The game will be remembered for Wiggins buzzer-beating three-pointer that should have been nullified by Karl-Anthony-Towns’ illegal screen. However, the Thunder were out-rebounded by 13, surrendering 10 offensive-rebounds in the process.

The Thunder have long prided themselves on dominating the glass. However, the team’s new personnel upgrades have understandably required sacrificing some rebounds. Losing players like Taj Gibson and Enes Kanter have forced the Thunder to play smaller. As a result, team rebounding will be essential going forward.

Westbrook has failed to record ten rebounds in three games this season. They lost all three games. When Westbrook gets a rebound, it prevents the need for an outlet pass, making a turnover far less likely. It also allows Westbrook to speed up the floor and run a more efficient fast-break. The more Westbrook can help out on the glass, defensively and offensively, the better the Thunder will be.

His Playmaking Sets The Tone

When Westbrook is dishing out assists, it helps open up the court and keep his teammates engaged. Westbrook has failed to record at least ten assists in just two games this season. They lost both of those games. When Westbrook is getting assists, it means players like Steven Adams are getting more involved.

More from Thunderous Intentions

• Stealing one player from every Southwest Division team for the OKC Thunder
• Should the OKC Thunder chase after a disgruntled hometown hero?
• 3 OKC Thunder players who can step up in Aleksej Pokusevski’s absence
• Aleksej Pokusevski sidelined approximately 6 weeks with ankle injury
• Damian Lillard does not fit with the OKC Thunder

Now does Westbrook need to go out of his way to get triple-doubles? Of course not. Again, with George and Anthony, Westbrook doesn’t need to carry the same load the way he did last year. Even so, triple-doubles are a great bench mark to show how well Westbrook and the Thunder are playing.

If he is helping on rebounds, it is creating Thunder second-chance opportunities and preventing opposing teams from getting second chances. Westbrook’s usage rate will drop this season, which means he won’t have the ball in his hands as much. But when he does, it remains crucial he is getting his teammates involved and spreading the wealth to find cutters and three-point shooters.

A big criticism of the Thunder’s offense the past few years is it has been incredibly predictable. Last year, they didn’t have many options. However, Westbrook has a much better supporting cast where he can drive and dish to help get more baskets and rack up assists.

A triple-double is an arbitrary stat line that has become celebrated over the years. When a player gets a triple-double, it means they are impacting the game in a broad range of areas. Russell Westbrook remains the Thunder’s most important player.

If the Thunder want to make a realistic push to the Western Conference Finals, they need Westbrook to have the dominant games like on opening night, when he scored 21 points, grabbed ten rebounds, and dished out 16 assists. obviously, that was against the Knicks, but the point remains the same. Westbrook can’t just be an excellent scorer. Even with a much better team, his rebounding and assisting abilities remain just as important.