All Thunder starters have contested over 100 shots so far this season
except
…..Drum roll……
He has contested 56 shots on the season. 7th on the team.
Raymond Felton has contested 55… just FYI…
— Andrew Schlecht (@AndrewKSchlecht) November 21, 2017
Despite his measureless hustle up and down NBA grain, Russell Westbrook is contesting an upsetting amount of shots on defense. What does this stat really mean and does it matter? Can this tragic Brodie-stat be attributed to the Thunder's let-down season? Is Westbrook a good or bad defender? Let's begin.
More information on the hustle stat
For unfamiliar readers, hustle stats include screen assists, deflections, loose balls recovered, charges drawn, and contested shots. Its categories are commonly led by passionate players. Westbrook actually leads in the category of loose balls recovered. When it comes to contested shots, however, as you can see from the tweet above, Westbrook is falling behind. He is contesting just 3.4 shots per game during his monstrous 37 minutes of playing time. Guards including Lonzo Ball, John Wall, Kemba Walker, and Eric Bledsoe are all averaging over 7 contested shots a game compared to Westbrook's insignificant 3.4. We wish we could blame the Thunder's new big-three starting lineup for Westbrooks defensive errors, but last season he averaged just 3.6 contests per game. The Brodie's way of guarding just doesn't include putting a hand up often.
Is Westbrook's defense to blame for the Thunder's struggles?
The Thunder are struggling, but not necessarily on defense. This is why fans shouldn't pay much worry to Westbrook's strange defensive patterns. They allow just 100.2 points per game, for the 3rd best total in the league behind the Celtics and the Spurs. Steven Adams' 12.8, Andre Roberson's 7.9, and Paul George's 7.7 contested shots per game are to thank for part of the team's success on defense (even Carmelo Anthony is averaging 6.8). The point is, enough Thunder players are getting hands in their opponents' faces so that Westbrook can focus on other things, like trying to average a triple-double and becoming the latest gif or meme.
Should Westbrook make a change?
Of course. Rather, why not? He is already doing so many good things on the court so why not add another skill to his inventory (he is the reigning MVP). We know Westbrook can handle criticism, expectations, carrying a team, so he can handle stepping up his defense as well. Contesting more shots would make Westbrook a threat on defense, whereas right now he is not considered one. Westbrook is already so active on the court, however, that playing heavier defense would cause him to drench his Nike uniform even more. There is always room for improvement, but are we really in any position to ask more from Westbrook? He plays harder than anyone in the league, so while we can expect him to improve his game more, it isn't the end of the MVP's world if he doesn't.
Is Westbrook a bad defender?
This contested shot stat shows that, well, Westbrook isn't contesting shots. Therefore, whenever it comes to challenging whoever he is matched up with, Westbrook is not getting the job done. His ability to grab boards and box out on defense, as well as steal the ball, grab loose balls, and block shots more than makes up for his weakness. We wouldn't call him a bad defender, and you shouldn't either. This stat proves that the proof really is in the statistical pudding. Westbrook's all-around hustle has distracted many from noticing his lack of coverage on players in the past few seasons.
Is he an overrated defender?
Probably. Westbrook has the jumping ability to block shots and the hustle to steal the ball, but not the attention to put a hand up often enough. Players should be far more worried when Andre Roberson is their match. Westbrook deserves credit for defensive rebounding, blocks, and steals but he does not deserve much praise for his coverage ability. When scoring machines like Stephen Curry and James Harden go against Westbrook, fans can't assume that he will be able to stop them. Billy Donovan may even be smart assign Andre Roberson to them, as Westbrook's 3.4 contested shots per game just isn't going to cut it when players are taking 20+ attempts. This being said, Westbrook is the reigning MVP and rightfully so. While he has lacked in the shot-contesting stat for the past two seasons, he could always surprise us and step his game up even further, improving his contests per game. He has already accomplished the unimaginable, averaging a triple-double for a season as well as breaking records to go along with it. The good news about this defensive observation is that it takes absolutely nothing away from Westbrook's heart, hustle, and playing ability. Besides, with his trigger-happy, high-caliber offense, you are probably going to experience more trouble guarding him than he is going to while guarding you.
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