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

The Good

Defensive Magnet:

Unlike a lot of other players, the gravity he demands isn’t necessarily the product of a tangible threat he presents; it’s largely the product of the potential one. For most players, the attention they earn from defenses is mostly the result of efficiency in a particular spot. Whether it’s Klay Thompson‘s shooting from three or Rudy Gobert‘s dunking out of the pick-and-roll, most stars attract attention because they have a clear way to beat you if you give them space. With Russ, though, that isn’t the case.

Rather, his gravity comes from what could happen if you don’t throw a few defenders at him on his drives. He attacks the basket like his hair is on fire every single time down the court, and, if you don’t stop him, conventional wisdom dictates that he might beat you.

It doesn’t really matter that he’s merely an average finisher around the rim this year nor does it matter that he’s still not a particularly good decision-maker when he gets there. The only part that does is that he won’t stop coming at you. He forces defenses to overhelp on his drives which opens up all kinds of passing lanes:

This is the beauty of Russ’ game. Whether you respect him or not, as a defense, you have to know where he is at all times and you have to find a way to stop him from getting where he wants to go. Otherwise, he’s liable to dissect your defense from the inside-out and set up his teammates for wide-open looks from three like he was doing when he seemed to be turning a corner in the middle of this season.