Independence Day 2016 will always live in infamy for the NBA and especially the Oklahoma City Thunder. That’s the day their leader, hero and face of their franchise exercised his independence as a free agent to join the rival Golden State Warriors, leaving his partner in crime Russell Westbrook and the organization he had called home for nine years high and dry.
After pouring out some liquor for the Durant and Westbrook era of Thunder basketball, the organization and fan base immediately shifted to Armageddon as they wondered if Westbrook would bolt as well in the summer of 2017.
Thankfully for the organization and rabid fan base Russ pledged his allegiance and signed a three-year, $85 million contract extension to stay in Oklahoma City.
So began the 2016-17 season with Russell Westbrook in full on world-domination, ALL-CAPS RUSS! He attempted to keep the Thunder as a western conference contender. His hope was that his new sidekick Victor Oladipo would pick up some of the slack in Durant’s departure and Steven Adams would continue to develop into one of the best young centers in the NBA. After the first seven games all seemed just fine in OKC. Westbrook was performing at historic levels, as expected, and the Thunder were 6-1 and right at the top of the western conference along with Durant and his Super Warriors despite being trounced by them in Oracle.
Their 6-1 record, outside of an impressive victory at Staples Center over the Clippers, featured very close and shaky wins over the Phoenix Suns, Philadelphia 76ers, an improved but still inexperienced and mediocre at best Los Angeles Lakers team, the struggling T’Wolves and a free-falling Miami Heat team.
Then came the past week in which the Thunder lost three straight home games to the Raptors, Clippers, Magic and got trounced by an Andre Drummond-less Pistons team in Detroit.
It is becoming clear in spite of Russell Westbrook’s incredible 32-9-9 averages through 11 games that his team struggles mightily.
The Thunder are in the bottom 10 of the NBA in field goal percentage and turnovers per game and are in dire need of a consistent secondary scoring option.
You can never count out Russell Westbrook and his transcendent ability, toughness and desire to win but the past week has given a more realistic glimpse what it is like to lose one of the five best players in the NBA. As incredible as Westbrook will most assuredly be throughout this season the Thunder have descended into the second or third tier of the western conference and outside of the title picture.
