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Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook has experienced his share of struggles after trying to morph into a more effective player. Despite posting a triple-double for a third straight season, the 11th-year guard is struggling mightily with his shot, shooting only 42.6 percent from the field, 24.1 percent from deep and a worrisome 62.1 percent from the foul line.
Westbrook had challenged himself to take more spot-up threes and limit his attempts off the dribble, something that has wildly backfired, as his all-around efficiency has plummeted, despite his efforts.
Head coach Billy Donovan isn't concerned with his star player's slow start, but rather excited to see how his point guard takes on the challenge at hand.
“If it was somebody different, that didn't have that kind of will and drive and belief and determination,” said Donovan, according to ESPN's Royce Young. “It maybe would concern me a little bit more. It doesn't with him because he thrives on stuff like this. He thrives on challenges.”
What makes this all worrisome is that Westbrook's acumen at the line has now decreased by 11 percent each of his last two seasons, going from a formidable 84.5 percent in 2016-17 to 73.7 percent last season to the low 60s in 2018-19 — now attempting the least amount of free throws per game since his second year in the league.
Westbrook's determination to change his approach on offense has resulted in a lot of hesitation, instead of playing the game with resolve — an attitude that had made him a dominant force at the offensive end for years.
