The Oklahoma City Thunder have been struggling after halftime this season, but don't tell that to Russell Westbrook.
Two days after the Thunder's 121-108 loss to the Orlando Magic on Wednesday, Westbrook addressed reporters regarding the possibility of a lack of communication between the coaches and players during halftime.
Westbrook basically balked at that notion, per Erik Horne of the Oklahoman.
“That's on the players,” Westbrook said. “It has nothing to do with the coaching staff or communication. A lot of times I don't even talk to the coaching staff at halftime. So I don't know where you got that information from.”
Russell Westbrook says Thunder’s drop off after halftime doesn’t have to do with miscommunication between staff and players: pic.twitter.com/pSW1h6iWzQ
— Erik Horne (@ErikkHorne) December 1, 2017
Westbrook is usually salty with reporters, but he's particularly salty in this exchange. Be that as it may, the Thunder have in fact experienced some drop in production after halftime this season, particularly in the third quarter, according to NBA.com.
Oklahoma City averages its least points (24.3), made field goals (8.5), field goal percentage (40.7) and assists (4.8) in the third quarter this year. That's definitely cause for concern.
Maybe it has nothing to do with communicating with the coaching staff like Westbrook said. It could be something else entirely.
Many NBA teams, especially the younger ones, have difficulty matching first-half intensity after taking a break heading into the third quarter of games.
But whatever the issue, it's definitely something, regardless of whether or not Westbrook wants to speak on the subject.
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