Westbrook Was The Difference In Game Seven

Although I have grown to like Russell Westbrook and what he does for the Oklahoma City Thunder, I really wondered if he was worthy of being selected to the 2010-2011 All-NBA Second Team.  Those wonderings have gone by the wayside after his Game Seven performance.

The Thunder won today 105-90 over the Memphis Grizzlies to advance 4-3 in the Western Conference Semifinals, cementing a matchup with the Dallas Mavericks in the Western Finals.  You can also catch OKC Thunder updates on OSN.

And Westbrook’s triple-double was not only impressive, but also a performance fitting of a high-caliber point guard.  His 14 points were matched by 14 assists, with 10 boards thrown in for good measure.  Westbrook was all over the court finding open teammates and having a sixth sense as to where rebounds would fall.

Westbrook shot only 25 percent from the field, but was 6 for 6 from the free throw line.  His assists more than made up for the lack of points scored and likely was a better scenario.  Although he exploded for 40 points in the Game Four triple-overtime overnight watch party, it seemed to be more of a one- (and sometimes two-, with Kevin Durant) man show.

Today’s display showed a true point guard who got his team involved in all facets of the game. Westbrook’s hustle has never been in question, but the ball distribution during the playoffs has at times had room for improvement.

The Thunder is now two steps further into the NBA playoffs than the franchise has been since its trek to OKC.  More challenges lie ahead against a Maverick team that looks better than it has in the postseason in the last five years.  But if Westbrook can match the heads-up play and fantastic execution of today’s Game Seven feats, the Thunder has a real chance to be playing in June.

In-Game Thoughts

MIdway through the second quarter in flooded Memphis, the Grizzlies have almost doubled up the OKC Thunder, 35-18.  As for this Thunder fan, I want to change the channel.
It does give me time to consider how little credit the Dallas Mavericks have been getting in their sweep of the Lakers.  No, the disorganized, dysfunctional group that have worn purple and gold through the playoffs don't look anything like the teams have brought back hardware to the Left Coast.  But that's not to say that the Lakers lost all four games.
The Mavericks won those games.  And there is a difference.
So Media-types, of which I am somewhat, stop being apologists and give Carlisle and the boys in blue their due.  They won it and won it with defense, a facet of the game unheard of in past two decades in the Metroplex.
In fact, they look to be toward a rematch of the 2006 Finals.  There's a matchup Dirk Nowitski and Jason Terry would likely be very interested in.