OKC Needs Russell Westbrook if They Want to return as Kings of the West
Everyone who is a big NBA fan will know that the Thunder are heavily reliant on the skills and smarts of Russell Westbrook if they are to eventually secure a spot in the Finals again, just check out the prevailing bookmaker sportsbook odds for the OKC Thunder to regain the West. The point guard’s injury has worried many OKC Thunder fans and avid basketball enthusiasts, and pundits are beginning to speculate that the upcoming NBA season does not promise to have a rosy outlook for the Oklahoma City Thunder. Nobody knows if Westbrook will return to full basketball strength this year as his injury was deemed potentially very serious, meniscus tears usually are, as soon as it occurred.
Knee cartilage injuries such as meniscus tears are horrific injuries for common folk let alone top level athletes, and with Russ recently undergoing a very delicate operation which he, the OKC Management and their legion of fans hope will him get back on track for upcoming NBA season. It is difficult to say how quickly one of the NBA’s best PGs will regain the devastating form he has shown throughout last season, with a continuity in his gameplay and production akin to those of Steve Nash and CP3.
Everybody knows how influential the PG has been the last two seasons, providing most of the highlights in their Finals matchup against the Heat two years ago, a game which will most likely be remembered in years to come (even by Oklahoma City Thunder haters all over the world). The real question however, is whether the Thunder can replicate this kind of success without the their primary ball carrier and defensive disruptor at 100% and whether he will be able to help their team return to the levels of the success previously enjoyed by the city and state.
Do the Thunder need him Badly? H#ll Yeah!!!
A nagging question which has been asked by hopefuls and fans alike revert to prayer, hoping to manage the finals without him. Fact is before the Rockets’ Patrick Beverly’s unfortunate steal attempt (if you think it was dirty and intended, watch the game again when you’ve cooled off) the Thunder were pretty much the hot favourites for winning the Western Conference, with the Lakers slowly losing ground after adding Dwight Howard to an already volatile mix to a season fraught with injuries to PG Steve Nash, D12 and even Coach Mike D’Antoni. Everyone was expecting the LA Lakers to be crowding the San Antonio Spurs and La Clippers for the top spot in the West. Oklahoma regained basketball pundits’ favour after handing the Lakers a 120-105 beating, spiked by Westbrook’s 37 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists and 2 steals.
Recently, fellow NBA All Star and teammate Kevin Durant reassured fans that Westbrook looks as sharp as ever and there is hardly anything to worry about regarding prospects for the current season. Some speculate that the PG will simply forget the injury ever occurred, keeping in mind the Rocket’s game (Game 2) which Westbrook finished without a single complaint despite being injured. Those who follow an online sportsbook and who are keen betting on sports, will notice the odds of the Thunder making it this year (try the Bodog sportsbook).
The answer is yes, the Thunder need him and they need him badly.
Season Alternatives
Of course, we need to keep in mind that Westbrook may not be back 100% and times may look more dire than the current outlook. With Kevin Martin gone, a considerable contributor to the Thunder’s offense, there looks to be only a few alternatives to their offensive arsenal. The three main candidates are Jeremy Lamb and Ibaka, with Ibaka slightly ahead as a future prospect. The signing of Derek Fisher could also help the team immensely, though it doesn’t look like the ex Lakers star will get many minutes.
There isn’t a real alternative to Westbrook if he does not regain 100% form this season, but Reggie Jackson’s development is definitely an important point for the team this season. Players like James Harden and Kevin Martin (as we mentioned, alas) are no more for the Thunder so the bench must look at other alternatives. Jackson looks like a brilliant prospect if he plays considerable minutes, and may be able to make the difference from an Oklahoma flop or a successful season this year. Stay tuned, and also look at the Bodog odds for the Thunder to return to form this season.
