There has been a lot of talk lately about Russell Westbrook, whose play seems to have become a lightning rod of sorts during the playoffs.
During Game 2, Westbrook sat for the entire fourth quarter and even though Oklahoma City won the game and tied the series, it remains an issue.
Why? We're not exactly sure, but some folks might be forgetting that the Thunder actually won the game.
Oklahoma head coach Scott Brooks made the right decision as his team won the game. There should be no second guessing and although Westbrook may be unhappy, for the record he says he's isn't, but there should be no questioning the coach's decision.
Westbrook was removed from the game late in the third quarter after a turnover and while he was upset when he hit the bench, Brooks said he took him out because that was his time to come out and rest and not because of his play.
It's hard to argue with Brooks as traditionally, late in the third quarter is the usual time for many stars to exit the game for a rest before re-entering for the fourth quarter stretch run.
There would be a whole lot more second guessing if they had lost, but as a coach, Brooks' loyalty should be toward the one thing that matters, winning, and not massaging individual egos.
Brooks is simply coaching and not just succumbing to what everybody thinks he should do. He knows the team better than anyone else and if he feels that his bench players give them a better chance in that game, then he should run with it. This is not the first instance in which a coach has left a key player on the bench during the closing minutes of the game.
As an aside, Brooks has said that he has not spoken to Westbrook about it as he is a team guy and there is no issue.
Also don't discount the motivational factor here.
Some say Westbrook shoots too much and he doesn't move the ball.
For the record, in the first two games of the series, Westbrook had more turnovers than assists. For the entire playoffs, he trails only Derrick Rose of the Bulls in fourth quarter field goal attempts.
Rose has hoisted 72 shots in the final frame while Westbrook has launched 69 in much less time on the floor.
LeBron James and Kevin Durant are tied for third with 57 field goal attempts.
Should Westbrook be taking more shots than the NBA scoring champion, Kevin Durant, who happens to be his running mate? It's a tricky answer and I'll say in general no, but to every rule there is an exception. But the rule that you put the ball in the hands of your best player and let him make a decision should still be in place. If Durant finds Westbrook if there happens to be a double team and he trusts Westbrook or any other teammate to make a play, then there should be no arguments or discussion.
Regardless, the Thunder have to put the entire incident behind them as Game 3 is traditionally a very important contest when a series is tied at one.
Historically, when it's one game apiece, the team that wins Game 3 goes on to win the series 76 per cent of the time. When the road team comes out victorious in Game 3 in these situations, they come out on top in the series 84 per cent of the time.
So keep your eyes on the bench and what happens in the fourth quarter in Game 3.
You may just be watching your winner emerge.
