When falling 103-97 in overtime to your Memphis Grizzlies Monday day the Oklahoma City Thunder learned something vital: it's really hard to Russell Westbrook.
It's not the 23. 2 elements per game. It's not the 7. 4 provides help or 5. 2 rebounds also. It's the identity he gave the team that is sorely lacking.
Over the last year or two, Westbrook has caught a whole lot of flack for his decision-making together with shot selection and, at first glance, rightfully so. It's hard to shield anyone taking as several shots per game like Kevin Durant.
His constant fighting, fiery passion and relentless pressure allowed the court to open for Durant to get his typical, efficient do it yourself.
Westbrook represented exactly what Durant needed to push his game to the next level. He was that Robin to Durant's Batman, very similar to that other really superior duo in Miami.
As with Batman constantly needed Robin's assistance, Durant is realizing that will life without Westbrook will not be fun at all. There is nobody available to deflect any of the opposition's attention. The Grizzlies indicate that they're perfectly content with anyone else beating all of them.
The frustration is evident relating to the face of Durant as he's realized that your burden he now ought to carry might be much more. Durant on his very own is brilliant. Durant by using Westbrook is otherworldly.
Ironically, up until not too long ago, the Thunder had mostly of the guys who could have grabbed the slack. James Harden was always the ideal compliment to the dynamic duo as a result of his ability to handle the ball and create his personal offense.
That's exactly precisely what Durant needed Monday event. Obviously he can find his points whenever your dog wants but Durant is actually at his best off the ball, curling off screens and squeezing off feathery simple jumpers.
Unfortunately for the dog, the Thunder management foolishly broke apart what was arguably the best core inside entire league by putting their eggs inside the Serge Ibaka basket and trading Harden for the Houston Rockets before the summer season began.
These playoffs have revealed the gravity of this mistake by exposing Ibaka for what one is: a role player. He was a superb fourth banana last yr. He's a pretty i am sorry excuse for sidekick, nevertheless.
Unfortunately for Durant, Russell Westbrook isn't playing any moment soon, Harden is gone and Ibaka isn't planning to magically morph into you the Thunder hoped your dog was. As it's been since Westbrook went, it's all on Durant right now.
Maybe now all individuals who criticized the play from Westbrook will bite your tongues. If these playoffs indicate us anything, it's how important Westbrook is always to the success of that Thunder.
Via: Half a million of the Barca fans celebrate the League title
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