Russell Westbrook was expected to carry a heavy load this season for the Oklahoma City Thunder, but through the first seven games, his burden would make an 18-wheeler struggle.
The highest single-season usage rate in NBA history is 38.7 percent, logged by Kobe Bryant in 2005-06. The second-highest mark belongs to Westbrook at 38.4 percent, from his injury-marred 2014-15 campaign.
Is Westbrook rumbling toward a similar effort?
“I look at it a little bit differently from the perspective of: Russell’s a unique player in that he can affect the game in so many different ways,” head coach Billy Donovan said. “I want him to be who he is. If we can generate good shots and he can help generate shots, we’re going to utilize him.”
But what about the physical toll this could take on Westbrook? Besides the 30.4 points and 9.9 assists he produces each night, he’s also grabbing 8.4 rebounds per game.
“On the other side of it, I look more at the minutes for him, in terms of really wearing him down with excessive minutes,” Donovan, who has resisted the urge to bump up Westbrook’s court time from last season, explained. “You’re not going to necessarily change, nor do I want to change, who he is.”
Westbrook doesn’t seem concerned so far, either. “I’m happy that we’re winning, man. To me, all I care about is winning, regardless of what numbers look like,” he said after the Thunder beat the Clippers on Nov. 2. “As long as we win, I’m happy.”
While his early-season numbers have been jaw-dropping, they haven't kept the Thunder from winning games, as they're off to an Oklahoma City-era-best 6-1 start.
But could the team's high dependence on its star stunt its growth if stretched out for a whole season?
“There’s new pieces around [him] that he’s trying to figure out how he can utilize and take advantage of the personnel that’s around him,” Donovan said. “Anytime you have a lot of new pieces coming into a team, that’s going to take some time.”
“But he also understands, too, as intelligent and as bright and as smart as Russell is, that in order for our team to be as effective and successful as it can be, he definitely needs to figure out ways to utilize the people around him.”
Westbrook has a big challenge integrating newcomers Victor Oladipo, Domantas Sabonis, Joffrey Lauvergne and Jerami Grant. Additionally, he has to adapt to new, larger roles for holdover teammates.
Steven Adams is no longer simply a human pogo stick who can leap for pick-and-roll lobs. He’s developed a well-rounded offensive game on the low blocks and can command double-teams.
Andre Roberson is no longer banished to the corners on offense. He’s shown a keen ability to cut toward the basket and even drive to it with confidence.
Oladipo’s early struggles from the field—32.8 percent during the first four games—exacerbated the matter. Living up to his streaky nature, Oladipo has now hit 61.3 percent of his shots in the last three contests. He’s looked much more comfortable and confident during that stretch.
Last week’s trade of Ersan Ilyasova has forced Lauvergne into a more prominent bench role. Newcomer Grant can leap tall buildings in a single bound but has barely had time to exchange contact info with his new teammates. Sabonis was preparing to start the season with the Gonzaga Bulldogs this time last year, and now he’s a starting power forward in the NBA.
With so much change and offseason evolution, Donovan has preached patience while his players work things out.
“It’s a two-way street. It’s not just all on Russell,” Donovan said. “He’ll figure out where guys are most effective. He’ll figure out passes that he’s looking for. And those kinds of things take time.”
“He’s been in control. He’s taken mostly good shots,” veteran Nick Collison observed. “So much of what we do is going to be pick-and-roll for us, so he’s ultimately going to be the one who’s going to make a lot of those plays.”
The Thunder star isn’t just shooting the basketball to extremes. He also leads the team in a number of passing statistics. He’s second in the league in potential assists at 18.9, which are passes that led to a missed shot attempt by a teammate.
“My job is to kind of read off of those guys, man,” Westbrook explained. “As a point guard, you’ve got to be able to adjust and know what type of personalities you have on the team, trying to find ways to uplift those guys and find ways to be able to play off them as well.”
For his part, Oladipo wouldn’t mind if Westbrook continues to wreak havoc on the league.
“I think we need him every night to be like that,” he said. “That would be nice.”
THUNDER INSIDER’S NOTEBOOK
Westbrook's 'Other Duties as Assigned'
Donovan took a moment to explain just how much weight is on Westbrook’s shoulders.
“Russell’s done an incredible job since training camp, but I don’t know if people really necessarily have a true appreciation for what’s on his plate and what’s on his shoulders as a player,” the coach said.
“Re-signing up [renegotiating and extending his contract], and then having an entire team that’s looking to him for direction and leadership, and then having to go out there and play. And then having to go out there and figure out how to incorporate who likes the ball in certain areas. Who’s good in this spot, getting them the ball … All those things take a lot of time and energy and effort on his part. And I see him every day doing all of those things.”
Fun With Numbers
Westbrook had a usage rate of 49.8 percent in the Thunder’s 113-110 overtime victory over Phoenix on Oct. 28. That was the night of his 51-point triple-double (13 rebounds, 10 assists).
A few nights later, in an 85-83 win over the Clippers, his usage rate was even higher at 54.2 percent. He scored 35 points but needed 30 shots and had 10 turnovers.
He was the Thunder's only double-digit scorer of the night.
All stats accurate as of Nov. 8.
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