OKC Thunder season review: Analyzing Russell Westbrook’s complicated season

Takeaways

It feels like we’re at somewhat of a crossroads with Russell Westbrook right now. This was the first season in which he actually showed signs of physical decline. Even though they seemed like relatively minor regressions – a step behind here; a moment late there – they were at the core of his worst season he’s had since he got in the league. With his game so reliant on him being one of the best athletes we’ve ever seen, him losing a half-step turned out to be catastrophic for his efficiency.

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Where he was once able to jump into the lane and stay in the air long enough to find an angle, he had moments this year when he struggled to score around the rim in ways that we haven’t ever seen before.

Prior to this season, he’d have instances where he was simply too athletic for his own good and barrelled into the lane with no real plan which caused him to make a bad decision. This year, however, there were times he didn’t have enough lift to navigate the trees and ended up catching uncharacteristic blocks:

At his current pace, he’s going to have the worst transition out of his prime we’ve ever seen for a player who was a perennial All-Star for years before. But if he slows down as he did for a stretch this year, the story could change. When he started to pivot more into a facilitating role that put way less pressure on his body.

The impact he had on the OKC Thunder started to replicate the impact he made when he was still in his athletic prime. His value only started to depreciate again when he moved away from that role and fell into his old habits. That begs the question: can Russ change for good?

Can he get rid of the old habits which once defined him? Can he take a step back in order for the team as a whole to take a step forward?

If he can, then great – maybe he won’t be the worst contract in NBA history; maybe he won’t be the first legitimately untradeable player. But if he can’t, the Thunder might be on the doorstep of one of the bleakest stretches a franchise has ever endured.

2018-19 Season Grade: B-

Check back with Thunderous Intentions daily as we roll out the player reviews from the 2018-19 season and begin our draft prospect series.