Russell Westbrook has never been much of an outside shooter, but he makes up for it by being a deadly finisher around the basket. Or so we thought, right?
Actually, he might not be as deadly at the rim as it seems. That’s what Coach Nick of BBALLBREAKDOWN posits in a new, painstakingly researched video looking at the strengths and weaknesses of Westbrook’s game. It’s an interesting concept, mostly predicated on Westbrook’s tendency to play out of control and some problems with his footwork, which Coach Nick lays out in expert detail.
It’s worth pointing out that when you drive as much as Westbrook does, unless you’re an otherworldly finisher, your numbers are going to take a dip. So some of Westbrook’s less-than-stellar efficiency numbers are simply a result of volume. But this video is still a fascinating look at a widely-accepted strength of his game.
We as basketball viewers have a tendency to get swept up in absolutes about what a player is good and bad at. Westbrook is still an effective finisher and that’s the biggest strength to his game, but this video does a good job of illustrating why he isn’t as otherworldly there as it seems. It’s worth watching and learning something.
