Russel Westbrook gets a lot of hate in the basketball community. Sadly, he deserves most of it. Some say he's a point guard, yet he has trouble passing. Other say he's a scoring guard, yet he's had difficulty putting the ball in the basket. In fact, the only thing we know for sure about Westbrook, is that he has the best scorer in the world on his team (Durant), but still leads the team in field goal attempts (18.6).
However, I think Westbrook is improving. In fact, I think Westbrook could be the second best point guard in the world by the end of the season. Here's why.
Russel Westbrook's passing game has improved tremendously since Harden departed. His assist rate is currently 25.1, an impressive improvement over last year's rate of 17.7. He's also averaging 4.9 assists per bad pass, as opposed to 3.4 last year (82 games). This is no mean feat, since Westbrook has been asked to not only improve upon last year's mediocrity, but fill a play-making void left by Harden's departure. He's risen to the occasion marvelously.
Another underrated aspect of Westbrook's game is his rebounding. He currently sports a rebounding rate of 8.6, fourth among all guards with at least 30 minutes played per game. Last year he had a rebounding rate of 7.4, good for seventh among all guards with at least 30 minutes played per game. Not only is Westbrook a great rebounder for his size, but he's improving.
This was touched on earlier, but the once turnover prone Westbrook actually isn't anymore. His 2012 turnover rate of 11.7 is now down to 9.9 (yay single digits)! He's also on track to average less charges and ball handling turnovers then last year (82 games). Again, this is impressive not just because they are nice numbers, but because Westbrook is improving while shouldering greater responsibility.
The one thing that has kept me from writing this post earlier, was Westbrook's awful shooting percentage. He had a 50.4 True Shooting percentage during the first two months of the season, down from his already average 52.7% mark in 2012. Since December however, he's picked it up considerably, averaging 25.4 PPG on a 57.5 True Shooting percentage. That's elite scoring period, regardless of position.
While its to early to say anything decisive, the player I once heckled to no end seems to have turned a corner, or at least found the corner. Yes, he still has his problems. He shoots to much, takes bad shots, forces the issue, and gambles on defense. However, I've begun to realize that's just Westbrook. He can become a more efficient player, but he'll always be a bad idea waiting to happen. The difference now, is the good ideas are beginning to drastically outweigh the bad ones.
However, I think Westbrook is improving. In fact, I think Westbrook could be the second best point guard in the world by the end of the season. Here's why.
Russel Westbrook's passing game has improved tremendously since Harden departed. His assist rate is currently 25.1, an impressive improvement over last year's rate of 17.7. He's also averaging 4.9 assists per bad pass, as opposed to 3.4 last year (82 games). This is no mean feat, since Westbrook has been asked to not only improve upon last year's mediocrity, but fill a play-making void left by Harden's departure. He's risen to the occasion marvelously.
Another underrated aspect of Westbrook's game is his rebounding. He currently sports a rebounding rate of 8.6, fourth among all guards with at least 30 minutes played per game. Last year he had a rebounding rate of 7.4, good for seventh among all guards with at least 30 minutes played per game. Not only is Westbrook a great rebounder for his size, but he's improving.
This was touched on earlier, but the once turnover prone Westbrook actually isn't anymore. His 2012 turnover rate of 11.7 is now down to 9.9 (yay single digits)! He's also on track to average less charges and ball handling turnovers then last year (82 games). Again, this is impressive not just because they are nice numbers, but because Westbrook is improving while shouldering greater responsibility.
The one thing that has kept me from writing this post earlier, was Westbrook's awful shooting percentage. He had a 50.4 True Shooting percentage during the first two months of the season, down from his already average 52.7% mark in 2012. Since December however, he's picked it up considerably, averaging 25.4 PPG on a 57.5 True Shooting percentage. That's elite scoring period, regardless of position.
While its to early to say anything decisive, the player I once heckled to no end seems to have turned a corner, or at least found the corner. Yes, he still has his problems. He shoots to much, takes bad shots, forces the issue, and gambles on defense. However, I've begun to realize that's just Westbrook. He can become a more efficient player, but he'll always be a bad idea waiting to happen. The difference now, is the good ideas are beginning to drastically outweigh the bad ones.