Brett Davis – USA Today Sports Images
The Oklahoma City Thunder still have a pretty firm hold on the first round series of the NBA Playoffs with Houston Rockets, despite losing game four. However, they have definitely felt the impact of not having their star guard, Russell Westbrook, for games three and four. Though Westbrook is often criticized, his value has been obvious because of his absence over the past two games.
In games three and four, a win and a loss respectively, the Thunder are still averaging a solid 103.5 points per game, but that’s not necessarily a ton against the fast paced Rockets. The most troubling part about the Westbrook-less Thunder is the fact that they have shot just 42.8 percent from the field in those two games, 5.3 percent less than they shot from the field during the regular season.
Kevin Durant has been phenomenal in the two games without Westbrook and has obviously taken control of the offense by 42.5 points, 11.8 boards and 5.4 assists in the two games on 54.3 percent shooting and 45.5 percent three-point shooting. However, the offense being centered on Durant is part of their problem.
Many people often criticize Westbrook for taking too many shots and not giving the ball to Durant enough since Durant is the more efficient scorer. What those people fail to realize that is being shown now is how Westbrook’s style of play opens up the floor for the rest of the team, including Durant. When it’s just Durant running the show, there is no consistent secondary threat for the Thunder, meaning the defense can center on Durant. That’s not the case when Westbrook is healthy.
It would be foolish of the Thunder to stop focusing their offense on Durant because he is such a prolific offensive player. However, someone like Serge Ibaka or Kevin Martin is going to have to emerge as a consistent and efficient offensive threat without Westbrook on the floor if OKC wants to go deep into the postseason. If they fail to do so, this Thunder team that was thought the be Finals-bound may not make it past the second round.
Cody Williams is a Senior NBA Writer with Rant Sports. Follow Cody on Twitter @TheSizzle20 and like his Facebook page.
