Russell Westbrook has begun to look more like himself of the past month.
After struggling in the first half of the NBA season, Oklahoma City seems to have turned over a new leaf. Marquee wins against the Rockets and San Antonio seem to show that the Oklahoma City Thunder have finally found their rhythm. There are many factors to why this has happened, but the most obvious one is that Russell Westbrook is starting to take charge and revert back to his old MVP self. Currently, Westbrook is averaging 24 points, almost 10 boards and 10 assists.
Westbrook’s teammates told him that he needs to be more aggressive and take charge. With the numbers he has been putting up, Russ now leads his team in points rebounds and assists, which might mean a second straight season of averaging a triple double.
Another reason that OKC is now winning can be attributed to the fact that the team is now shooting much better, a combined 45% from the field and 35% from deep. All star teammates Carmelo Anthony and Paul George are each shooting 37% and 44% from three respectively, which has added rhythm to the Thunders previously struggling offense. But perhaps the unsung hero of the turnaround has been the stellar play from center Steven Adams.
Adams is averaging 14 points and 8 rebounds per game, and snags more offensive than defensive boards. Adams stellar play has given more opportunities to the big-3 and has been a big reason on why OKC gets so many second-chance points.
It is important to note that after dropping three straight to Phoenix, Portland, and Minnesota, that the Thunder still may not be quite there yet. However, it has been very impressive watching them rebound from their underwhelming start to the season, and come playoff time the Thunder will be a dangerous team to play.
