OKC Thunder: The adaptability of Westbrook’s game as he enters his 30’s

Becoming an off-ball threat

As he’s progressed in his career, Westbrook’s usage rate has steadily increased, rising to historic proportions in his 2016-17 MVP season with a 41.7 percent rate. This increase is due to the fact Westbrook while playing with Kevin Durant, got accustomed to an isolation-heavy, you-score I-score offense.

This became the staple for the OKC Thunder ever since both Durant and Westbrook broke out as young superstars, and only grew in magnitude when Westbrook was left to handle all the reins of the team. Habits developed through a lifetime, such as needing a cup of coffee to start the day, are incredibly difficult to break – the same applies to basketball.

When Westbrook hands off the ball to a teammate, he tends to stand a couple of feet away from the 3-point line, put his hands on his knees, and literally ball-watches until either a shot goes up or he gets the ball again. The video analysis below illustrates the lack of initiative from Westbrook to impact the offense without control of the ball.

This type of offensive movement, or lack thereof, is nothing but a waste of Westbrook’s talents. With his athleticism, Westbrook could use his incredible speed to dart around the court while drawing multiple defenders, make cuts to the basket for scoring chances, or screen for his teammates to create mismatches.