THERE'S AN OLD joke involving Michael Jordan, one that dates to his days at North Carolina. Who's the only man who could hold MJ under 20 points, the line went. The answer? Dean Smith -- a snarky take on the coach's egalitarian system.
Lately, an updated version of that crack has been making the rounds, starring Kevin Durant as MJ. Only this time, the role of Smith belongs to Durant's OKC sidekick, Russell Westbrook, whose affinity for his own shot often seems to be the only thing keeping Durant from breaking 30 every night. And during Durant's streak of 12 consecutive 30-point games in January, that dynamic no longer seemed to be a laughing matter. As an injured Westbrook watched from afar, fans and experts alike wondered aloud whether the All-Star point guard was indeed holding back his teammate and -- as the Thunder notched win after win -- his team too.
The idea that one of the league's 10 best players could actually be a hindrance seems laughable. Still, as one Eastern Conference GM told us: "You would always choose more talent over a lack of talent. But the better question on Russell is fit." The joke, in other words, demands serious consideration. So consider it we will.
1. Maybe KD really doesn't need any help ...
Durant is a freak. Typically, as a player's usage rises, his efficiency drops. But Durant is anything but typical. When Westbrook is off the court this season, KD's usage jumps from 28.6 percent of possessions to 33.2 percent. Yet his TS percent also rises from 61.2 percent to 65.6 percent and his scoring climbs from 26 points per 36 minutes to 32.6. Given his elite talent as a rhythm scorer and his length, which turns any matchup in his favor, KD is the rare player who's more efficient the more he's used.
2. ... but the Thunder sure do
So if Durant can thrive without Westbrook, the Thunder should as well, right? Not so fast. Fact is, there is little evidence that the Thunder are better off without Westbrook. So far this season, OKC is 25-9 (.735) when Westbrook plays and 22-8 (.733) when he doesn't. And in four of the past five seasons, the team has been significantly better offensively with Westbrook at the helm. They play faster, and while their D suffers -- which is odd, because Westbrook is considered a strong defender -- they shoot a higher percentage. But if you really want to see what happens to OKC without Westbrook, look to the games that really count.
3. The Grizzly details
Presumably, the anti-Westbrook crowd watched last year's playoffs. So it's baffling that they can't recall what Memphis did to a Westbrook-less team in the second round. With Westbrook sidelined by a knee injury, OKC crumbled, losing the series 4-1, shooting just 39.8 percent and scoring only 89.6 ppg. Even KD suffered. In the series, his shooting dipped to 42.1 percent (8.7 percent lower than in their '12-13 regular-season series), as the Grizz focused their entire D on stopping him. Just a guess, but a dynamic point guard might have changed that equation.
4. Russell Westbrook: Helping hand
If KD struggled against Memphis, Serge Ibaka was worse -- scoring just 12.6 ppg and shooting 37.7 percent. That's understandable, as one of the least appreciated aspects of Westbrook is how much better he makes OKC's role players. This season, Ibaka's ORtg is a superb 110.0 when playing with Westbrook; it's 105.5 without him. But the most staggering story involves Westbrook's backup, Reggie Jackson. He's filled in well during his 30 starts in place of Westbrook, with 14.4 ppg and 4.9 apg. But when paired with Westbrook, Jackson's ORtg soars to an obscene 119.7 (up from 105.7) and his DRtg improves to a minuscule 96.0 (down from 99.0). Now, if only Scott Brooks would play the Westbrook/Jackson duo for more than the nine-plus minutes they average together.
5. Well, this looks different
Part of what has allowed OKC to thrive this season without Westbrook is Durant's versatility. With Westbrook, KD focuses on scoring, converting catch-and-shoots and working off the ball. Without him, he morphs into a point forward, initiating the O and handling the ball on pick-and-rolls. In short, he shoots from different spots, taking more midrange jumpers with Westbrook and firing more above-the-break threes without him.
6. So yeah, uh, never mind
Basketball's ultimate two-man play is the pick-and-roll. So if there were any real issues involving Westbrook and Durant's playing together, they'd manifest in that set. Instead, the Westbrook/Durant combo is as deadly as you'll find running the pick-and-roll. According to Sport Vu, they produce 1.26 points every time they run the play, second in the NBA to the Suns' Goran Dragic/Channing Frye combo (1.29). But don't believe us, believe Grizzlies PG Mike Conley, who knows a thing or two about facing OKC. "I think the criticism is almost just more to give people something to talk about," Conley says. "We in the league -- we all know the truth. And we know with Russell Westbrook, they are a dangerous team ... and much different without him."
*All stats through March 12.
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