It’s all on you Westbrook!
With all due respect to every NBA franchise, at the moment, no team has a shot at beating the Golden State Warriors in a 7-game series. However, that’s not stopping fans from still being intrigued about a possible fourth consecutive NBA Finals with Dub Nation and the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Last week, the Oklahoma City Thunder made a power move, acquiring Carmelo Anthony from the New York Knicks. This was in follow-up to the team making the blockbuster trade for Paul George, immediately after June’s draft. On paper, this looks like one of the sexiest teams one could imagine, including having an elite wing and paint defender as fourth and fight options.
Unfortunately, we still believe the team is currently fourth best out west (see: Gregg Popovich and Chris Paul). Luckily, this doesn’t mean the Thunder won’t eventually mesh and create a cohesiveness on the offensive end. While OKC’s main concern should be on the defensive end to stop the Warriors from scoring, their offense may be the most intricate part of their spring eighteen success.
Last year, Russell Westbrook became the first player to average a triple-double in a season, for the first time since Oscar Robertson. With Westbrook preparing for pending free agency next summer, as well as being the official face of Jordan Brand, his on-court play affects the entire season coming up – not just his team. For the Thunder to be legitimate contenders with Golden State and the San Antonio Spurs, Russell Westbrook needs to fall back.
Hear us out, the main reason Kevin Durant left OKC was because Westbrook would cool him off during hot streaks. When Kevin would score 10-straight buckets or have numerous insane highlights; Russell would step in and hinder him from continuing to score.
Although Durant loves Westbrook on the court, this caused a rift between the two, which he doesn’t have that issue anymore. So, in order for them to have success and avoid any rifts, Russell has to allow Carmelo Anthony and Paul George to have freedom in the Billy Donovan system.
Since he finally has more than one elite scoring option for the first time in his career, it’s not required for Westbrook to overwork himself like he did last season. PG13 is expected to start at the three, while Hoodie Melo will have to adjust to playing at the four out west. Let us know in the comments if you agree/disagree, as well as how far you think the team will go next spring.