5 biggest disappointments of 2016-2017 playoffs so far

The 2016-17 NBA playoffs have been one of the most exciting first round games in recent memory. Let’s focus on the biggest disappointments so far.

Excitement often comes from surprises, and surprising results often, unfortunately, mean disappointments. From team efforts (or lack thereof) to each individual performance, let us take a look at the five biggest playoff disappointments so far. This article includes all games up through Game 3 of the Spurs and Grizzlies.

In a season that might not be replicated for the next thirty years, Russell Westbrook is doing everything for the Oklahoma City Thunder. And, that is precisely the problem. A lot of how Westbrook plays is selfish. The Thunder cannot get going offensively because of Westbrook. A lot of the stats that I am about to share are insane.

Out of Westbrook’s 10.5 rebounds per game, 8.5 of them came uncontested. That means he hawked obvious misses, like long 3-pointers and free throws. He chased rebounds over defending. Westbrook averages 5.4 turnovers per game, and he is averaging 6.5 for the first two games of the playoffs. Westbrook is only shooting 42.5 percent from the field, which has dipped to 34.8 percent in the playoffs. He’s shooting a paltry 22.7 percent from 3-point range on 11 attempts. His usage rate sat at 41.7 percent during the season, and has risen to 50.5 percent in the playoffs. How is that even possible?

As a comparison, LeBron James’ usage was 29.9 percent in his 2006-07 run with the Cavs to the Finals. He shot 41.6 percent from the field and 28 percent from 3-point range, but only on 3.8 attempts. LeBron also only averaged 3.3 turnovers, compared to Russ’s 6.5. Regarding supporting cast, Taj Gibson and Steven Adams are arguably better than Anderson Varejao and Zydrunas Ilgauskas were in 2006-07. Sorry Russ, you can do better.