Should Westbrook be our closer?

[dream_catcher_9]

KD is our #1 option, but Westbrook is a better ISO scorer/penetrator, and we always iso at the end of games it seems. Why not give Westbrook the ball and have Durant, Harden, Green on the perimeter, with Ibaka setting the screen for Westbrook. Once that happens Westbrook can either go to the rack if he sees an opening, dish it to Ibaka for a mid range shot or a roll to the hoop(Westbrook loves those oops), or Westbrook can get in the lane and if it collapses, he has 3 options on the perimeter to knock down the shot.

Would you like to see that? I know I would, if we practice it in games, that situation could be deadly.

[slick_watts]

He should be an option, but Kevin Durant is more reliable. Like you said, if there is something that has to change with our offense it's the amount of isolations we run for KD and RW. RW is better at this, but KD coming off a curl or in any capacity from 18 feet and in would be a higher percentage attempt than anything Russ will do.

Some of our better plays come with either KD or RW handling as decoys and Jeff Green eventually getting a spot up attempt.

It should also depend on the team we're playing. Against a team without a strong defensive interior I'd want Westbrook to be able to probe that defense. Against a team with mediocre man defenders at the wings but with big bodies in the middle, KD might be a better option.

I get the feeling that there isn't much thought put into our late game possessions, though, outside of 'who gets the ball'.

[MrWHYNOT]

KD is our #1 option, but Westbrook is a better ISO scorer/penetrator, and we always iso at the end of games it seems. Why not give Westbrook the ball and have Durant, Harden, Green on the perimeter, with Ibaka setting the screen for Westbrook. Once that happens Westbrook can either go to the rack if he sees an opening, dish it to Ibaka for a mid range shot or a roll to the hoop(Westbrook loves those oops), or Westbrook can get in the lane and if it collapses, he has 3 options on the perimeter to knock down the shot.

Would you like to see that? I know I would, if we practice it in games, that situation could be deadly.

if we cant get the ball to kd foul line extended where he can be a triple threat than absolutely Westbrook is the best ISO option we have.. like you said he can create a shot for somebody else if the drive and foul is not there in the lane..

[whatisthis]

Durant has actually been very good in the 4th this season, much better than his 1st 3 years. The probem comes when Brooks decides to isolate him 28 feet from the basket, if he's going to be put in ISO sets late it needs to be 15-18 feet away.

[Clangus]

you guys all complain about the end of game plays, but the fact is that we are 7-1 in games decided by 6 points of less. Brooks is doing something right to be closing out at such a high rate.

[IanChang]

In a close game free throw is very criticle, and that's what the thunder has been doing well so far.

[free_bird]

KD is our #1 option, but Westbrook is a better ISO scorer/penetrator, and we always iso at the end of games it seems. Why not give Westbrook the ball and have Durant, Harden, Green on the perimeter, with Ibaka setting the screen for Westbrook. Once that happens Westbrook can either go to the rack if he sees an opening, dish it to Ibaka for a mid range shot or a roll to the hoop(Westbrook loves those oops), or Westbrook can get in the lane and if it collapses, he has 3 options on the perimeter to knock down the shot.

Would you like to see that? I know I would, if we practice it in games, that situation could be deadly.

I agree. But lets hope not too many games come down to needing Westbrook going iso.