NBA Playoffs 2012: Why Russell Westbrook Is OKC'S X-Factor Against the Spurs

Kevin Durant is the one who makes the big shots. He's the scoring champion, the one known as Mr. Clutch.

But what people don't realize is that without Russell Westbrook, Durant wouldn't even be able to take those shots. 

Don't get me wrong, Durant's a great player. He makes a lot of shots and averages almost 30 points per game. I think he's the most dangerous player in the playoffs because he has great chemistry with Westbrook, he can rebound and he can always score.

However, Russell Westbrook averages over 20 PPG and he's putting up great numbers in the playoffs.

Take Game 4 of the Lakers-Thunder series. Durant hit the game-winner, but without Westbrook, there's no way the Thunder would've won the game. While injured, Westbrook scored 23 second-half points.

In the fourth quarter, with the Thunder down nine, Westbrook scored nine points in just 2:16, cutting LA's lead to four. Durant took over from there, leading the Thunder to a 103-100 victory.

Westbrook was aggressive, just like he always is, and as a result, the Thunder came away victorious. 

On defense, Westbrook is an absolute menace. In Game 1 against the Mavericks, he changed the game in the fourth quarter by guarding Jason Terry, who was lighting up the Thunder with 20 points.

Coach Scott Brooks assigned Westbrook to guard Terry and follow him wherever he went. Terry got just one more shot off, which was a miss, and the Thunder ended up winning the game.

Against Tony Parker and the Spurs, Westbrook's defense will be crucial. San Antonio runs a very effective system chock full of penetration and passing, backdoor cuts and easy points.

If Westbrook can get Parker out of his rhythm by deflecting passes, forcing turnovers and getting fast-break points, San Antonio's system could fail. The Thunder would run all over the Spurs and win the series.

While Gregg Popovich will prepare the Spurs very well, Westbrook can definitely take over the series.

On offense, his job will be to set Durant and James Harden up for good looks. Because of the Spurs' lack of size, Westbrook would want to get Kendrick Perkins involved as well.

As the point guard, Russell Westbrook runs the team. Wherever he goes, the Thunder go. So if Westbrook plays like the Russell Westbrook who's guided the Thunder to the WCF, OKC will be good to go.

But if he doesn't, the Spurs will be in the NBA Finals.