Russell+Westbrook+Oklahoma+City+Thunder+v+LFDZ8PuXp2dl
Russell Westbrook #0 of the Oklahoma City Thunder dribbles past Andrew Bogut #12 of the Golden State Warriors at ORACLE Arena on March 3, 2016 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.

 

The fact of the matter is that Russell Westbrook is not a coachable player.  Examine that for what it is and what it is not. It is not that Westbrook can’t play; he is one of the four best players in the Association.  Sorry, in the world.  It is not that Westbrook knows the rights and wrongs of running the Thunder offensive sets. He is not stupid. He knows basketball and the intricacies of the game. It is that Russell Westbrook is a point guard that does what he likes in the final minutes of game.  His success rate is related to the quality of the opposition. And the success of the team after these unproductive 4th quarters against the elite of the league are wrecking this current Thunder team.

 

The way the Oklahoma City Thunder runs their offense in the first three quarters is not the same as they run it in the final quarter.  Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant lose total control of their basketball senses against the elite teams of the National Basketball League in the that final twelve minutes.  Nothing tells me that this is going to change this side of Greg Popovich. Blame those two if you want for the current six out of eight losses. I do.  Current Head Coach Billy Donavan cannot tell Russell Westbrook what to do, how to run the offense, one they practice and play for three quarters of most games.  Kevin Durant is not without blame as he falls in with Westbrook.  Those two give the Thunder a lack of offensive structure that would allow all five players to participate as they do in the previous three quarters.  Again, I will repeat,  Russell Westbrook cannot be coached/forced to run a set offense late in games that involve all and both him and Kevin Durant play their sort of individual iso’s which lead to failure.  Eight years of the same old thing.

 

It is not a coincidence that Oklahoma City loses leads and progress has not been made in the many seasons they have had Westbrook and Durant.  Former Coach Scotty Brooks had the same problem, abet not as much as it has developed lately.  Kevin Durant has become a turnover king and Russell Westbrook an out-of-control three point shooting inefficient monster in the all important 4th quarter. Big leads are insignificant for this bunch.  Until this Thunder team decides to play as a group in the final quarter like they do in the first three, expect the losses to mount up against the likes of Golden State, San Antonio, Los Angeles Clips, etc……

 

Feature Photo:

Russell Westbrook #0 of the Oklahoma City Thunder reacts after dunking the ball on Klay Thompson #11 and Andrew Bogut #12 of the Golden State Warriors at ORACLE Arena on March 3, 2016 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.
(March 2, 2016 – Source: Ezra Shaw/Getty Images North America) more pics from this album »

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