Even after recording his NBA-leading fourth triple-double of the season, while scoring 31 points in the second half and overtime last night, Russell Westbrook thought he could have done a better job involving his teammates. In what amounts to a pantomime of critics, Westbrook said after the game he was “actually shooting too much,” after going 12-of-38 from the field (31.6 percent) and 1-of-10 from beyond the arc in a 118-114 OT loss to Phoenix.
Per ESPN, comes Russell’s mea culpa despite adding 14 rebounds and 11 assists in almost 43 minutes of action:
“Honestly, I think I was actually shooting too much,” Westbrook said. “I think I got to do a better job of trusting my teammates more. I am not saying I don’t, but consistently trusting them regardless of what is going on, regardless of the time, score and possession. Just find a way to trust them and let them make some plays as well.”
Westbrook’s last attempt, down 116-114 with under 10 seconds left, ended up being one of his 26 missed shots. Plus, he stepped on Markieff Morris’ ankle on the drive.
The fact Russ admitted his own culpability in the loss with a burning ankle is a good sign of his maturity, but we hope it doesn’t embolden the idiots who feel he should muzzle his tendency to shoot more than his All-Star cohort. #LetRussBeRuss, even after getting out-dueled by a much more efficient Eric Bledsoe.
