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Russell Westbrook's MVP-season tear has still continued onto this 2017-18 campaign, as the 6-foot-3 whirling dervish has built his case as one of the most clutch players in recent memory.
After Tuesday's win over the Brooklyn Nets, Westbrook leads all active players with 10 game-tying or go-ahead baskets in the final 10 seconds of regulation or overtime over the last two seasons, according to ESPN Stats & Info.
The next closest player? — it's his now-teammate Carmelo Anthony with six of his own.
Russell Westbrook: 10th game-tying/go-ahead FG in the final 10 seconds of regulation or OT in the last 2 seasons
Next-closest player is Carmelo Anthony with 6 FG pic.twitter.com/zRHY3jU6x7
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) January 24, 2018
Westbrook's massive usage rate often means he's the one with the ball in his hands when the Oklahoma City Thunder needs a bucket, as evidenced by this contested finish from last night's game. The reigning MVP drives with reckless abandon and finishes over Nets rookie Jarrett Allen.
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After going through their early-season struggles, the Thunder have figured out how to play with one another and maximize their efficiency at both ends of the ball, but the plan has remained the same during crunch time — put the ball on Westbrook's hands.
Since Dec. 1, the Thunder are 19-8 with an offensive rating of 109.0m which would rank sixth over the whole season, a defensive rating of 104.8 which would rank 10th, and a net rating of plus-4.2, good for fifth in the league, according to ESPN's Royce Young.
Westbrook's ability to penetrate at will, dribble past opponents, draw fouls, and create his own shot make him the complete package with the game on the line and now amongst one of the most-feared game closers in the league.
