Overall, the Thunder still rank fifth in defensive efficiency, allowing a solid 100.5 points per 100 possessions. Thats pretty good.
But since Russell Westbrooks re-return Feb. 20, the Thunder are allowing 104.7 points per 100, which would rank them 18th if it were for the entire season. Its not just the numbers, though. Its been obvious has soft the Thunder have played at times, allowing far too much dribble penetration, losing shooters in transition and letting guys like Gerald Green and Jodie Meeks light them up for career highs. The team keeps talking about it, saying the right things about commitment and pride and focus, but there really hasnt been any change.
So Westbrook took the bulk of the responsibility for it at practice on Thursday.
Weve got to come out with a defensive mindset. Start with myself, just got to do a better job setting the tone early, he said, almost unprompted. Then asked how much he shoulders himself, Westbrook didnt hold back.
