Some Selfishness From Russell Westbrook Will Help the Thunder Find Christmas Cheer

By petermallett on December 24, 2014

Despite his recent public overture, what Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook really needs to do is stop second guessing his three-point shot selection and concentrate on winning again.

In case you missed it, the three-time NBA All-Star went 0-of-6 from three-point country and was a miserable 10-of-27 from the field in a 101-99 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans on Sunday as the Thunder fell to a disappointing 13-15 record. Westbrook still managed to score 29 points.

But everyone in the NBA, even the super-human Westbrook, can be pardoned for having the odd bad night. So heading into Tuesday’s game against the Portland Trail Blazers Westbrook made a public apology about the number of shots he was taking, specifically his three-pointers, and then vowed to repent.

“I need to stop taking as many as I’m taking, to tell you the truth,” Westbrook said postgame. “I’m going to take those down as the season goes along.”

Coach Scott Brooks concurred and besides calling out the team’s defense for the loss, stated he felt Westbrook took “two or three too many” three-pointers. But the season is far from over so talk like this won’t do Westbrook or the Thunder any good. Without Kevin Durant in the lineup, OKC needs Westbrook to do what he does best and continue shooting the rock unfettered.

After all, the Thunder aren’t losing due to Westbrook’s shot selection but moreover because of injuries. So did Westbrook hold true to his pledge against the Blazers on Tuesday?

Yes, but not entirely. The Thunder lost again 115-111 in overtime, dropping their 16th game of the season. Yes, Westbrook did seem to drastically alter his shot selection early on in the game.

He moved his shooting game inside the arc for the first three quarters and initially it seemed to help. In the end, he scored a season-high 40 points, while going 16-for-34 in field-goal attempts. Until midway through the third quarter Westbrook had taken only two triples, going 1-for-2, as the Thunder rallied on a 9-0 run to pull level with Portland.

Westbrook launched three more triples before fouling out in the final two minutes of overtime — only one less than against New Orleans — so despite his point totals, his reboot will really draw mixed reviews.

Initially, he vowed to change, but Westbrook found himself open beyond the arc too many times and the temptation to launch a rainbow (or in Tuesday’s case, a brick) from three-point range was just way too much. I can’t say I blame him. If you are wide open, take the shot.

Besides, Westbrook’s shot selection really hasn’t been the real culprit in the Thunder’s woes this season.

While the lack of defensive stops and second-chance baskets also hurt, injuries to Westbrook and Durant have really been the Thunder’s undoing.

Westbrook suffered a slight fracture of the second metacarpal (index finger) in his right hand following the team’s second game of the season against the Los Angeles Clippers and then missed 14 games. He joined Durant, who sprained his ankle in preseason action, on the sidelines as the Thunder sputtered to a 4-12 record to open the season. When both returned, the Thunder went on a seven-game winning streak, but Durant re-injured his ankle in a win over Sacramento on Dec. 16 and has now missed three-consecutive games.

Without Durant, the Thunder need Westbrook’s three-point shot more than ever. While a little change from Westbrook is good, he shouldn’t risk neutralizing all of his offensive strengths with a complete makeover.

Westbrook is clearly a thoughtful, sensitive and intelligent man. With Christmas just a few days away, he even took time out this week to assist Oklahoma City children with his Why Not Foundation donating basketball equipment and shoes to local foster kids.

This type of generosity is fine when doing community work, but on the basketball court, Westbrook clearly needs to dispense with the second guessing and double thinking. A little more selfishness behind the thee-point line would actually be the greatest gift the Thunder could hope for.

Peter Mallett is a blogger for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @RedCardTheRef1 like him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.