OKC Thunder series matchup: Brewing rivalry of Russell Westbrook and Damian Lillard

Don’t get too caught up in the rivalry:

Westbrook is often fueled by playing angry, so rivalry games are good for him, but at the same time, the Thunder will need Westbrook to play under control. In other words, he needs to play angry, but not too angry. Westbrook has a tendency at times to shoot the Thunder out of games when playing out of control, but when in control, taking good shots, and setting his teammates up for open looks Westbrook is without a doubt one of the best players in the NBA.

Win the free throw battle:

By “win the free throw battle” I am not expecting Westbrook to shoot a better free throw percentage than Lillard or even shoot more free throw than Lillard. Here’s what I mean: first, Westbrook needs to defend Lillard as best as he can without fouling.

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Lillard shoots the most free throws in the league at the point guard position (14th overall) and makes them at a 91.2 percent clip, which places him at seventh in free throw makes per game in the NBA.

Westbrook not fouling will be a big key. Secondly, Westbrook needs to shoot his free throws at a good percentage. Westbrook is a career 80 percent free throw shooter but is shooting a career worst 65.6 percent from the line this year. If Westbrook can keep Lillard off of the line and knock down his own free throws I would consider that a win in this category for Westbrook.

Work the post game:

I want to see Westbrook “rocking the baby” ten times per game in this series. Westbrook has a height advantage over Lillard and has experienced success in the post against Lillard in the past.

If Lillard has one knock to his game it is his defense. Westbrook needs to use his height to exploit this weakness during the series. If he can get the post game going early it could potentially create double teams later in the games/series which could create open looks for his teammates.

Get Triple Doubles:

Westbrook gets hated on for stat-padding, but when it comes down to it the Thunder are much more successful when he gets a triple-double than when he doesn’t. They are 111 and 27 when Westbrook gets a triple-double. I’ll take his “stat-padding” any day if it helps the Thunder win at that high of a rate.

Not only OKC Thunder and Trail Blazers fans, but all NBA fans should tune intosee a great series containing a great rivalry between to of the NBA’s top point guards.