Sitting Westbrook a Mistake by Brooks?
Sitting (Kevin) Durant isn’t the question. That makes sense. But sitting (Russell) Westbrook? Wrong move. Now’s not the time for teaching lessons. We’ve all heard that this Russell Westbrook, this often out-of-control maverick, is what helped get the Thunder to this point. Well, let him be himself.
Over the past few days, Westbrook has once again become a lightning rod for criticism as a vocal minority has pointed out his quesitonable decision-making, shot selection and all around reckless style of play.
But the Thunder could’ve used a little of that Westbrook crazy. He shot 18 times, scoring 19 points. Thing is though, with Durant battling foul issues, it should’ve been Westbrook’s game to run. He should’ve been shooting 22, 24 or even 26 times. He should’ve been running wild, taking shots, attacking. He kind of tried to get that look going but when he did, (Scott) Brooks sat him for it.
Westbrook is best in doses a lot of times. He can really get to cooking and completely run the game. He can own the floor, even as superstar scoring machine Durant stands idly by. Westbrook can get that midrange jumper when he wants it, post smaller guards, blitz the rim or just create. Sometimes all of that is clicking magically, sometimes it’s not.
The Thunder were absent their two top offense players the final five minutes of the third and were punished for it. Brooks hoped to rely on James Harden, but his Sixth Man of the Year was suffering through an awful shooting night. As the Heat found points with ease, the Thunder didn’t have an answer.
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