NBA Playoffs: Russell Westbrook Is One of the NBA's Toughest Covers Right Now

Fans and talking heads alike used to groan when Russell Westbrook would rise up for a contested jumper. Last night, Westbrook torched the Lakers with his supposed weakness.

The fourth-year guard turned in an immaculate performance Game 1 against the Lakers. 27 points in 27 minutes. 67 percent shooting with 76 percent shooting efficiency. That’s Tyson Chandler territory, and Westbrook plays point guard. Not to mention he takes 15 shots a game.

Look out NBA: Westbrook’s game is hitting a growth spurt.

Could Westbrook be the toughest cover of all the rising young point guards? Derrick Rose has improved his jumper, but he’s never shot north of 45 percent from that area in his impressive career. As for Rajon Rondo, defenses beg for him to take those shots. 

They can all take it to the rack with ferocity, but when it comes to all-around scoring, Westbrook has stretched his game outside unlike any other.

I could be jumping the gun a bit, but the Oklahoma City point guard has put on quite an exhibition in the early playoff rounds. First against Dallas, the 8^th most efficient defense this season, Westbrook was dynamite from outside, shooting 43% on his jumpers and 54% from 16 feet to the three-point line (see here). Just for comparison, Kevin Durant has shot 41% and 46% in those respective spots.

Against a Laker team that struggles with pick-and-roll recognition, it was an absolute field day for Westbrook and Co. in Game 1. The Thunder ran them at excess. The shooting efficiency numbers don’t tell the whole story; OKC sucked the life out of a tired Lakers squad. Hell, even Daequan Cook got in on the action.

They were a mid-range firing squad. And boy, were they on target.

There was no doubt who was the ringleader in last nights shellacking. Russell Westbrook, guns firmly in his imaginary holsters, showed the world his potential as a jump shooter.

For his opponents, that’s one scary prospect.

Follow Mike Shiekman on Twitter @TheRealShiek