Players Oklahoma City Thunder Will Rely on Most Without Russell Westbrook

Russell Westbrook is out again.  The Oklahoma City Thunder’s starting point guard and Kevin Durant’s right-hand man will likely miss four to six weeks of the regular season due to arthroscopic surgery on his right knee yesterday, forcing OKC’s young bench to step up.   

The good news: nothing was wrong with Westbrook’s meniscus, the injury that sidelined him for almost all of last season’s playoffs.  The bad news: a “loose stitch” in his right knee will keep him sidelined for at least the first month or so of the season. 

Very frustrating for a player who hadn’t missed a game in at least 10 years.

As we saw last season’s playoffs, as great as he is, Kevin Durant cannot do everything by himself.  These young players will have to step up this season.

Reggie Jackson

Reggie Jackson stepped into a starting role last season when Russell Westbrook tore his meniscus early in the playoffs.  During the playoffs, Jackson averaged 13.9 points per game, a big jump from his 5.3 points per game during the regular season.

The former Boston College point guard is not the scorer Westbrook is by any means, but Jackson definitely has the ability to score.  This summer Jackson set an Orlando Pro Summer League record with 35 points in a game versus Detroit.

OKC could use some of that during Westbrook’s recovery.

Jeremy Lamb

With the Thunder’s third-leading scorer from last season Kevin Martin gone, Jeremy Lamb will have an opportunity for a greater role this season.  The first-round draft pick didn’t have the rookie season he’d hoped for, playing in just 23 games last season.   

He seems to have had a productive offseason, however, according to superstar teammate Kevin Durant, “You can really tell he’s been working.”

Although Lamb will likely not be a starter, his ability to produce off the bench will be essential for the Thunder.

Serge Ibaka

The 6’10” power forward was OKC’s fourth-leading scorer behind Kevin Martin, who is now part of the Minnesota Timberwolves.  In his four NBA seasons, Serge Ibaka hasn’t been a prolific scorer, but he hasn’t been offensively inept either (13.2 points per game last season).

Ibaka has been a solid player for Oklahoma City, but with Westbrook out and Martin gone, he has to become more of a scoring option this season.

Ibaka can’t create his own shots (76 percent were assisted last season), but he can efficiently put the ball in the basket, shooting 73.7% from point blank range, and even shooting 54.6% from 10 to 16 feet.

The Thunder will still likely have a tough time without their flashy point guard Russell Westbrook, but if his teammates can rally around Kevin Durant and become actual scoring options rather than spectators of the KD show, imagine what OKC will look like come December when the three-time All-Star Westbrook returns.