Russell Westbrook hasn’t exactly been expansive in some of his recent media availabilities, oftentimes declining to speak to specific reporters with a pointed “next question.”
His play during the first two games of Oklahoma City’s first-round matchup against Portland could not have done anything to improve his mood, but at least the Thunder star was back to talking Tuesday night after the team suffered its second straight defeat to the Blazers, this time in blowout fashion, 114-94.
Westbrook told reporters after the game:
“Starting with myself, I’ve got to play better. And tonight, the loss, I’m going to take full responsibility for tonight. Because the way I played was unacceptable. I’m going to be better, so I’m not worried one bit.”
Thus far, Westbrook has averaged 19 points, 10.5 assists, and 9.5 rebounds per game against Portland. However, he is also turning the ball over five times per game and shooting 36.1 percent from the field, including a combined 1-for-10 from three-point range. He’s only shooting 11-for-21 at the basket as well, and that’s while the primary source of rim protection is Enes Kanter.
There have also been some issues defensively, where Westbrook is getting lit up by Damian Lillard. Westbrook hasn’t been closing out as hard as he needs to on Lillard, and consistently gets reminded that Lillard’s range extends far beyond the three-point line. Furthermore, his extra-curricular tussles with Lillard have only inspired the Blazer to be even more lethal.
As the series shifts to Oklahoma City, Westbrook should be able to draw on the energy of the home crowd; during the regular season, his defensive rating was 104.8 at home compared to 109 on the road. But if he doesn’t embrace the challenge of containing Lillard, all that bravado will be for naught. During last year’s first-round series, Paul George made the bold statement of introducing himself as “Playoff P” and then underwhelmed for the rest of the postseason. The Thunder can only hope that Westbrook’s proclamation is slightly more impactful.
