Isolating the 3 games which changed the OKC Thunder season

During a deep dive of the numbers over this specific segment of the schedule three key games (or moments if you will) punctuate when the shift happened and defined the OKC Thunder change.

Westbrook actions and body language spoke volumes:

The first game was the loss in Orlando. Recalling the image of a crestfallen Russell Westbrook sitting slumped in the chair as players and fans filtered out of the arena. The vision struck a chord, and after years of Brodie watching his outward angst set off alarm bells  — change is coming.

Adding fodder to why Westbrook was deflated after the Magic loss was the fact OKC had soundly beat the Warriors a week prior. Surrounding that win were five losses. Included in those was a Thunder team that resembled a lottery team in Dallas, and Orlando. Even when they played decent quarters (held Spurs to 15 first-quarter points) or halves (scored 65 first-half points against the Pelicans) they couldn’t maintain their effort on either end.

Though never discussed, or at least fully disclosed, it’s not difficult to imagine the thoughts running through the MVP’s mind. The OKC Thunder had just lost a game against a squad he could have beaten on his own (and has).

Recalling the last time the Thunder were in Orlando it was the game Westbrook notched a triple-double of 57 points, 13 rebounds, and 11 assists. And, the Magic crowd was chanting MVP to him.   But, that’s not what the Brodie is interested in.

Still, this game was the tipping point for Westbrook (at least in my opinion) when he came to terms with the fact this current approach wasn’t going to work.

Westbrook the distributor had to change hats to West’Beast”

To be more specific, if you recall the preseason narrative was how each of the big three would get opportunities. Every statistician pointed to the usage rate of Paul George and Carmelo Anthony. Furthermore, scribes noted the shot attempts George and Anthony were accustomed to receiving.

Early returns pointed to an equal shot distribution which produced exactly the same amount of shots for each of the OK3. Clearly, Westbrook was zeroed in on getting his cohorts equal shot attempts and touches.

Most assume Westbrook doesn’t pay attention to what the critics say. But, the fact he was so driven to integrate George and Anthony speaks to a different narrative. Surely, Westbrook didn’t want to be known as the guy who stymied other stars as a certain former Thunder small forward had led the masses to believe.

But, in trying to force the opposite narrative to occur Westbrook had removed the one intangible – his own brilliance.  Ultimately, what makes Westbrook so special is his compete level and constant attack. By trying to force-feed his partners he watered down his own effectiveness.