Russell Westbrook is going to be tasked with covering the NBA MVP Stephen Curry for an entire series during the Western Conference Finals, and he will need to play amazing defense or else the Oklahoma City Thunder won’t stand a chance against the Golden State Warriors.
Westbrook isn’t afraid to match up with Curry, and he said to Anthony Slater of The Oklahoman that Curry is “nothing I haven’t seen.”
Russell Westbrook on Steph Curry pic.twitter.com/ggMMxIzK5H
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) May 16, 2016
“He’s a shooter. He’s not nothing I haven’t seen. Him, (Damian) Lillard, guys like that can shoot the basketball from four or five feet behind the three. You got to do a little, different job. Just be physical.”
Russ may see Curry as just a shooter, but he is in fact much more than this. He is an elite shooter, he is crafty with his dribble moves, he is quick, and he can drive and is a very strong finisher. To defend Curry, Russ will need to be in his face as soon as he crosses half court. He will need to be physical, but people always say that to defend Curry you need to be physical. Defenders have been physical with him since he was playing for Davidson. Russ is going to need to be on his hip for the entire series, and he can’t let Curry get away from him.
Last series, Russell was tasked with covering Tony Parker, and Parker was able to create space with Westbrook on him. He would end up taking mid range jumpers, but Curry will quickly burst to the rim and make a quick layup. It will be difficult for Russ to stay on him and shut him down, but he seems confident in his abilities to slow down Curry enough that the Thunder will be able to win the series and advance to the Finals.
