Russell Westbrook Is Returning To Action Tonight
Big news tonight in OKC as the Thunder are set to take on the Kings. There were reports earlier in the week that this was the game the Thunder were targeting for a Westbrook return, and it makes sense. Let him get his feet wet against a team like the Kings, and considering this is the home opener I like that angle as well. No need to rush him back while the Thunder were on the road, let him ride that adrenaline from playing in front of his home crowd, and he won’t even be thinking about that knee.
It’s pretty clear how badly the Thunder need Westbrook, after losing a close one in the opener to GS, and then getting worked on Friday against the Clippers. This team just doesn’t have the playmakers outside of Paul George to make up for the absence of a player like Westbrook, and George’s efficiency could use the help. He’s started the year with 32/30% splits taking 25 FGA a game. It’s clearly not working, and Westbrook is going to take a huge burden off him so he can get back to the role the thrived in last season. It also should be noted just how poor the Thunder guards have started the season. I’m talking a 42 Ortg which is almost unheard of. Guys like Dennis Schroder have not been able to fill the role, or even anywhere close to it, with 26/22% splits in 32 minutes a night while Westbrook was out. Raymond Felton wasn’t all that much better with 35/0% splits in 16 minutes. Alex Abrines, who played the second most minutes at 27.8 minutes averaged 38.9/30% splits. As you can see, the Thunder have gotten jack shit from their guard spots during these first two games.
What I like is hearing that Westbrook will not have a minutes restriction. I would imagine the goal would be to blow this Kings team out so he can sit the fourth and get rest anyway, but he’s crazy enough where I can see him playing like 40 minutes no matter what the score is. Look for the Thunder to get back to playing with pace and their offense taking a big step forward, as their 95.5 rating is nearly 15 points lower than what we saw last year. That’s what happens when you’re missing an MVP caliber player. As we know, the NBA is better with Russell Westbrook playing, and hopefully this knee issue won’t cause any problems during the year, because I’m ready to see this man go apeshit on the court.
Pray for the Baby Kings.