What Russell Westbrook Must Learn from Chris Paul to Become a Better Pro

Russell Westbrook has the potential to stand with Chris Paul and Derrick Rose in the conversation for best point guard in the game. He could look to Chris Paul for three lessons that could help him make that step. 

First, let's establish some things about Westbrook that are positive so as to not come across like a "hater." Westbrook is an extraordinary athlete whose speed and explosiveness are on par with Derrick Rose. He also has a work ethic that is far underrated and unappreciated. He already is a top-five point guard in the game. 

Westbrook is a deserving two-time All-Star for a reason. He's worked hard to make his game one of the best in the league. With a few more improvements, he can be in the discussion for the best in the league. 

I have no relationship with Westbrook, and therefore have no position to psychoanalyze him the way that Skip Bayless arrogantly does, so I'm not going to try to do that. All I can do is look at and analyze his game. 

There are times where his game suggests something about him. He plays as though he's more intent on being a star than being a winner. The lessons he could learn from Paul would make him more of a winner and, in the process, more of a star.

First, he needs to learn to measure his shooting. Particularly this year, he has tried to make himself more of a scorer and less of a passer. This year, his shots are up from 17.0 last year to 19.0 per game. Those two extra shots have resulted in only 1.9 more points. 

This year, Westbrook is scoring just 1.25 points per field-goal attempt. Compare that to 1.34 points per attempt by Chris Paul. Part of that is that Paul is a better shooter. However there's also something to be said for selection. Paul doesn't force shots, he takes them. 

Second, he needs to learn to pass more. While Westbrook's shooting has gone up, his assist numbers are way down. He's averaging nearly three full assists fewer this year than last (down from 8.2 to 5.4). His assist percentage is down from 42.7 percent to to 29.6 percent. 

Meanwhile, Chris Paul has an average of 8.4 assists per game and and an assist percentage of 41.7. 

This isn't about ability; it's about mentality. Both guards are asked to score in their systems. I don't fault point guards for scoring. Westbrook is forcing shots when the pass is available, seemingly resorting to the pass only when no shot is ready.

Paul, on the other hand, looks to pass and takes the shot when needed.

Take the example of the screen cap below. Westbrook has two better options than shooting here. He can pass the ball into the post to Serge Ibaka or he can pass it out to the wide-open Durant for the three.

Rather than do either of those things, he takes the least efficient play and goes with a step-back jumper. 

Finally, he needs to commit to defense. Somehow Westbrook has earned an undeserving reputation as a good defensive player, though his defensive numbers are somewhere between average and below average. His points per play (ppp) against is .86 and his opponent's player efficiency rating (OPER) is 14.5. 

Compare that with an opponent ppp of .74 for Chris Paul and an OPER of 13.4.

When Paul is on the court, the Clippers give up 3.9 fewer points per 100 possessions. When Westbrook is on the court, the Thunder defense just gives up .5 fewer points, even though he's usually on the court with three players who are primarily defensive specialists. 

The thing about Westbrook is that it's not about whether he can play defense, but whether he does play defense. He plays outstanding defense in the fourth quarter when he needs to. The Thunder give up only 97.9 points in the fourth quarter. They give up only 93.5 points when the game is in clutch time. 

At times, Westbrook just is too busy going for a big play rather than keeping track of his defensive assignment. As a result, he leaves his man wide open.

For an example, look at the screen cap below. First you see Westbrook leave Paul to set a trap, but in doing so, he completely loses track of Paul. In the second cap, you can see Paul taking advantage of that and drifting back to get a wide-open three. 

Westbrook needs to adopt Paul's full-time approach to defense rather than just playing defense at the end of the games. 

If Westbrook can become more selective in his shooting, look for the best shot on the court from his teammates and become a full-time defensive payer whose head is in the game full-time, he'll be ready to enter into the conversation for the best point guard in game with Chris Paul and Derrick Rose.