Did Russell Westbrook just have the most clutch reg season ever?

richboy · Post #1 » by **richboy** » Wed Apr 12, 2017 8:51 pm

Going thru the year I knew Westbrook was really playing well late in games but his stats on 82games just blew me away.

By 82games the clutch is defined (4th quarter or overtime, less than 5 minutes left,
neither team ahead by more than 5 points)

In these situations Russ averaged 78.5 points per 48 minutes. Just that alone I never seen anything close to that.

Every possession is Westbrook and the teams offensive rating in the clutch is 124.8. This with a sub 100 defensive rating has made them the best finishing team in the league. They won 24 of 35 games in clutch situations.

What is amazing to me is I came into the year thinking OKC would be terrible in close games. That they would miss Durant. Despite the fact I hate that every close game all OKC would do is Westbrook walk the ball up the court. He stop 40 feet from the basket. Then try to pass the ball to Durant who would be holding off a defender. When he did get the ball he would face him and usually chuck up a jumper. It didn't matter if Westbrook had the advantage or was playing better Durant was always the man late in games.

This year I came in thinking all Westbrook has is pull up jumpers. Without much shooting I fully expected him to be the worst clutch star in the league. That teams would just send double teams and he would struggle. It was the exact opposite.

The biggest thing I learned from this season is Westbrook is a much better player than Durant in close games. OKC may have cost themselves by always giving the ball to Durant when the game was on the line. Last year OKC had a 112 offensive rating in the clutch. Durant shot 41% on 49 points per 48 minutes. The team was 18 and 18. All year close games were a headache for the Thunder. This year it has been OKC just wanting to be close and let RW take it home.

It is the finishes that make you think is this the most clutch season ever.

Watch on YouTube

That just the game winners. We can talk about the insane comebacks.

I been watching basketball since the 80s. I can't remember a player being so dominate in the clutch as Westbrook has been this year. Perhaps Jordan but that would only be a guess. I doubt he had those clutch stats.

beach house · Post #2 » by **beach house** » Wed Apr 12, 2017 9:38 pm

posts like these is why i love realgm

i'm on basketball-reference right now lol

Thabo Sefolosha · Post #3 » by **Thabo Sefolosha** » Wed Apr 12, 2017 9:45 pm

couchie · Post #4 » by **couchie** » Wed Apr 12, 2017 9:45 pm

The reason OKC lost close games last year is because they were so predictable. They didn't trust their team mates so it was either russ or KD. In the western conference finals they played as a team. I think it started with the San Antonio series.

ShotCreator · Post #5 » by **ShotCreator** » Wed Apr 12, 2017 9:47 pm

1990 - 1992 Jordan:

http://i.imgur.com/OSP3vZM.png

Per 48: 78 points, 12 rebounds, 8 assists, 5 steals, 3 blocks, 1.8 TOV(!), 62.4 FG%.

1 on 1 Defense

15/55 FG (27.3%)

Chicago clutch net rating in games: +48.8 per 100 PSS

Source: viewtopic.php?t=1286698

It's pretty close in some regards, but Jordan is the best we have data for. Maybe Westbrook second.

Westbrook relies more on getting to the line than MJ, who shot 62% from the field and 73 TS% overall in these situations, along with an insane 1.8 TOV per 48, which is not even human in terms of error-making. Jordan was a cyborg in these situations, whereas Westbrook is merely superhuman.

Illmatic12 · Post #6 » by **Illmatic12** » Wed Apr 12, 2017 9:52 pm

This season I saw quite a few Thunder games with my own eyes where Westbrook scored 10-12 points in a row in the clutch to bring his team back/win the game.. can't remember the last time I watched someone perform like that with such frequency.

The fact that EVERYONE knows the ball is going to him, and that his teammates are essentially just tomato cans in those moments is what makes it even more impressive.

madmaxmedia · Post #7 » by **madmaxmedia** » Wed Apr 12, 2017 9:59 pm

We also need to see similar data for Lebron, I guess in the Miami years.

Those Jordan stats are absolutely amazing, thanks for posting!

ShotCreator wrote:1990 - 1992 Jordan:

http://i.imgur.com/OSP3vZM.png

Per 48: 78 points, 12 rebounds, 8 assists, 5 steals, 3 blocks, 1.8 TOV(!), 62.4 FG%.

1 on 1 Defense

15/55 FG (27.3%)

Chicago clutch net rating in games: +48.8 per 100 PSS

Source: viewtopic.php?t=1286698

It's pretty close in some regards, but Jordan is the best we've had data for. Maybe Westbrook second.

Westbrook relies more on getting to the line than MJ, who shot 62% from the field and 73 TS% overall in these situations, along with an insane 1.8 TOV per 48, which is not even human in terms of error-making. Jordan was a cyborg in these situations, whereas Westbrook is merely superhuman.

so_bored · Post #8 » by **so_bored** » Wed Apr 12, 2017 10:02 pm

Impressive. MVP.

so_bored · Post #9 » by **so_bored** » Wed Apr 12, 2017 10:05 pm

Is there any doubt that KD was holding RW back? When all along, most thought RW was holding KD back. This season is also a clear indication that RW was always the alpha on that team personality wise and playing wise. KD pulling a cupcake move also solidified that he was always soft and had beta in him.

Soca · Post #10 » by **Soca** » Wed Apr 12, 2017 10:12 pm

so_bored wrote:Is there any doubt that KD was holding RW back? When all along, most thought RW was holding KD back. This season is also a clear indication that RW was always the alpha on that team personality wise and playing wise. KD pulling a cupcake move also solidified that he was always soft and had beta in him.

People really need to give this alpha/beta nonsense a rest.

Post #11 » by **sonictecture** » Wed Apr 12, 2017 10:13 pm

so_bored wrote:Is there any doubt that KD was holding RW back? When all along, most thought RW was holding KD back. This season is also a clear indication that RW was always the alpha on that team personality wise and playing wise. KD pulling a cupcake move also solidified that he was always soft and had beta in him.

Durant and Westbrook (coach Brooks) were holding Harden back when all were in OKC.

I think most would admit that the goal is for great players to come together and be better as a group than they are as individuals. We've seen the brilliance of Westbrook alone this year and it's special, but it's not sustainable.

After watching Durant shrink last year in the WCF in games 6 & 7 it will be interesting to see if he can overcome the same issues with GSW this year.

Tinseltown · Post #12 » by **Tinseltown** » Wed Apr 12, 2017 10:13 pm

Give me 09 LeBron over anyone

Also Curry last year was more clutch.

Han Solo · Post #13 » by **Han Solo** » Wed Apr 12, 2017 10:14 pm

He's my choice for MVP.. Reminds me of the year Miguel Cabrera got the Triple Crown and everyone threw a fit about Mike Trout not winning MVP.. It's a historic season and it will get recognized. I'd be shocked if he's not the MVP.

SFrush · Post #14 » by **SFrush** » Wed Apr 12, 2017 10:18 pm

Soca wrote:
so_bored wrote:Is there any doubt that KD was holding RW back? When all along, most thought RW was holding KD back. This season is also a clear indication that RW was always the alpha on that team personality wise and playing wise. KD pulling a cupcake move also solidified that he was always soft and had beta in him.

People really need to give this alpha/beta nonsense a rest.

I get sick of hearing it as well

so_bored · Post #15 » by **so_bored** » Wed Apr 12, 2017 10:34 pm

Soca wrote:
so_bored wrote:Is there any doubt that KD was holding RW back? When all along, most thought RW was holding KD back. This season is also a clear indication that RW was always the alpha on that team personality wise and playing wise. KD pulling a cupcake move also solidified that he was always soft and had beta in him.

People really need to give this alpha/beta nonsense a rest.

It's non-sense because it doesn't help the case for your favorite player? Reality check, every team in every sports has a leader or captain.

DNP - Old · Post #16 » by **DNP - Old** » Wed Apr 12, 2017 10:50 pm

so_bored wrote:
Soca wrote:
so_bored wrote:Is there any doubt that KD was holding RW back? When all along, most thought RW was holding KD back. This season is also a clear indication that RW was always the alpha on that team personality wise and playing wise. KD pulling a cupcake move also solidified that he was always soft and had beta in him.

People really need to give this alpha/beta nonsense a rest.

It's non-sense because it doesn't help the case for your favorite player? Reality check, every team in every sports has a leader or captain.

Who is not necessarily the best player on the team, so it's not really important.

Post #17 » by **Duke4life831** » Wed Apr 12, 2017 11:05 pm

Clutch and regular season dont really match up all that well haha. Robert Horry wasnt called big shot Rob because of the big shots he hit during the regular season. I think when many people start talking about how clutch a player is, they instantly start talking about the playoffs where one shot can literally mean if your season is continuing or is ending.

so_bored · Post #18 » by **so_bored** » Wed Apr 12, 2017 11:05 pm

DNP - Old wrote:
so_bored wrote:
Soca wrote:
People really need to give this alpha/beta nonsense a rest.

It's non-sense because it doesn't help the case for your favorite player? Reality check, every team in every sports has a leader or captain.

Who is not necessarily the best player on the team, so it's not really important.

Um...it was important to OKC in last year's playoffs. They gave the ball to KD in clutch situations and lost as a result. Perhaps outcome would have been different had RW been the leader all along.

mvpshaq32 · Post #19 » by **mvpshaq32** » Wed Apr 12, 2017 11:30 pm

so_bored wrote:
DNP - Old wrote:
so_bored wrote:
It's non-sense because it doesn't help the case for your favorite player? Reality check, every team in every sports has a leader or captain.

Who is not necessarily the best player on the team, so it's not really important.

Um...it was important to OKC in last year's playoffs. They gave the ball to KD in clutch situations and lost as a result. Perhaps outcome would have been different had RW been the leader all along.

hmmm

phanman · Post #20 » by **phanman** » Wed Apr 12, 2017 11:55 pm

mvpshaq32 wrote:
so_bored wrote:
DNP - Old wrote:
Who is not necessarily the best player on the team, so it's not really important.

Um...it was important to OKC in last year's playoffs. They gave the ball to KD in clutch situations and lost as a result. Perhaps outcome would have been different had RW been the leader all along.

hmmm

Durant did miss two clutch jumpers in that game.. but I mean you can turn around and nitpick the end of G5 to prove his point (which if they won, G6 wouldn't have happened

That said both players faltered down the stretch so not sure why people are still arguing this point.