NBA Playoffs 2011: Can Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook Coexist?
In just a few short hours, the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Memphis Grizzlies will square off in Game 7 of the Western Conference Semifinals. The Thunder, considered just a few years ago to be the joke of the NBA, are playing so that basketball fans' respect for them will grow. The Grizzlies are looking to continue a Cinderella run that began with their ousting of the top-seeded San Antonio Spurs.
Since the Thunder lost Game 6 by a score of 95-83, rumors have been swirling about a rift between star forward Kevin Durant and all-star point guard Russell Westbrook. In this series, Westbrook has been taking more shots than Durant, thus people wonder if he is hogging the ball. That being said, can these two stars play together?
I am here to address this situation. The answer is yes, Durant and Westbrook can coexist peacefully, and fans who think otherwise are just plain wrong. Let's have a look at history and see just why these two are a great match.
Durant joined the team in 2007, and despite having a fine rookie season during which he averaged 20.3 points, the Thunder (then the Seattle Supersonics) went a franchise-worst 20-62.
In the 2008 draft that summer, team management selected Westbrook out of UCLA with the fourth overall pick. Westbrook averaged 15.3 points and 5.3 assists per game as the Thunder only improved very slightly and finished just 23-59. Long story short, the team was still considered young and inexperienced.
However, in 2009, the team greatly improved. Durant averaged 30.1 points and 7.6 rebounds while Westbrook averaged 16.1 points and and eight assists. The Thunder finished 50-32, good enough for the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference playoff picture. They faced the eventual NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers in the first round and lost in six games.
This season proved to be the breakout year for the Thunder, as Westbrook averaged a career-high 21.9 points and 8.2 assists and Durant averaged 27.7 points and 6.8 rebounds. The two were the keys to the thunder winning the Northwest Division with a 55-27 record and clinching the No. 4 spot in the Western Conference.
Now that I'm done throwing statistics at everyone, let me get back to the original point. Want to know the reason why Durant and Westbrook can coexist? Just look at the Thunder's performance each of the three years they have played together. The team's record has improved each of those three seasons!
If that doesn't spell chemistry, I don't know what does. Long story short, the Thunder are at home for Game 7 and will be just fine. The Grizzlies are a good young team, but Durant and Westbrook and the rest of the Oklahoma City squad are just too good together.
If a win is what's needed to put these rumors to rest, then good luck to the Thunder. Otherwise, this could become a distraction all offseason and potentially ruin the team.
