Will Oklahoma City Thunder’s Russell Westrbook make another leap?

Although he is an All-Star and among the best guards in the league, Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Russell Westbrook is often criticized. There are many who believe his teammate, forward Kevin Durant, who was the 2013-2014 NBA MVP Award, should have the ball even more and think Westbrook takes too many bad shots.

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Nate Duncan of Basketball Insiders believe Westrbook could become a more efficient player and thus make another leap.

"The number 3 spot in the NBA is kind of open right now with LeBron and Durant the clear top 2. I think improving his offensive efficiency is more important, although defensively he could “stay solid” a bit more as well. But I could see Westbrook making that kind of leap. He was a top 5 player two years ago, and sure looked awesome in the playoffs this year as well."

One of the biggest reasons for Westbrook’s troubles are his injuries. Westbrook has had three separate surgeries in the last 15 months, once of which took him out of the 2013 postseason. Last season, Westbrook played in 46 games (and all 19 postseason games) for the Thunder. He averaged 21.8 points, 6.9 assists, 5.7 rebounds and 1.9 steals per game while shooting 43.7% from the field, 31.8% from beyond the arc and 82.6% from the free throw line. Westrbook, who was originally selected by the Thunder with the fourth-overall pick in the 2008 NBA Draft, has averaged 20.1 points, 6.9 assists, 4.9 rebounds and 1. 6 steals per game while shooting 43.3% from the floor, 30.5% from three and 81.5% from the charity stripe in his six-year career.

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