The enigma of Russell Westbrook

If it was not already clear, Russell Westbrook made it apparent that he might be the most polarizing player in the NBA after his performance in Game 5 versus the Utah Jazz.

Throughout the 2017-2018 season, we have consistently seen Westbrook make a huge impact on the games he has played, whether that be for better or worse.

Westbrook was deservedly given praise for his MVP season last year in which he carried a mediocre supporting cast to the playoffs.

Yet, doubts over his ability to effectively lead a team has risen over the season. The Thunder barely improved their regular season record despite the additions of all-stars Paul George and Carmelo Anthony to the team.

The criticism has continued into the post-season. Westbrook had been pretty underwhelming throughout the first four games of the current playoff series.

He was averaging 21.3 points per game, 11.8 rebounds per game and 8.3 assists. However, this has come at a cost of 5.3 turnovers per game. In addition, Russ is shooting just 36.7% from the field and displaying a rather ordinary effort on the defensive end.

Not to mention, Russ has gone missing in the fourth quarter of each of his team’s losses, not what you would expect from the reigning MVP.

I am happy to admit that I have constantly had doubts regarding Russ. In the past week, in particular, I have fed into the arguments that he is superbly overrated, inefficient and will never lead a team to a championship.

The first half of Game 5 seemed to confirm these thoughts with Russ shooting five of 19 from the field as Utah extended to a comfortable 71-47 lead early in the third quarter.

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Many of Westbrook’s harshest critics were probably laughing, as it was easy to assume that the well-coached Jazz would clinch the series from such a position.

But out of nowhere, MVP Westbrook emerged. Russ hit 32 points in the last 20 minutes of the game, largely thanks to some impressive three-point shooting and mid-range jumpers – usually the weaker parts of his offensive game.

Along with the strong scoring support of Paul George, the screen-setting Steven Adams, and the benching of the lacklustre Carmelo Anthony, OKC were able to level the game at the end of the third quarter and ultimately close out the fourth to keep the series alive.

You could argue that Rudy Gobert being in foul trouble and consequently being kept off the court diminished the Jazz defence to allow the comeback.

Yet it is hard to think of many players that could ignite such a comeback in the playoffs. The only two other stars that come to mind are James Harden and LeBron James.

Logically, it would seem stupid to doubt an MVP, and while somewhat justified – I did think Westbrook and the Thunder had no chance to win this game at half-time. And now, I am happily eating my words.

Whether the Thunder are able to win this series now is anyone’s guess with Westbrook at the helm.

He may, in fact, be overrated and never win a championship in his career, but when Russ puts up performances like he just did, it is hard to think he won’t.

But that just might showcase how much of a divisive player Russell Westbrook is. He can be the best player in the world at any given time, but with his numerous pitfalls and inconsistency, is easily the most frustrating player to support in the NBA.