Russell Westbrook on OKC’s Bad Stretch: “I’m Not Worried”

From a top-seed contender to the fight for the playoffs. That is the journey of the Oklahoma City Thunder in the last several weeks. Latest loss in Memphis against the Grizzlies, 115-103, set off the alarm at the Chesapeake Energy Arena.

Though it is hard to believe that the Sacramento Kings can reach the Thunder at the 8th spot of the Western Conference, that possibility still stands. The way OKC performs recently, some say that it wouldn’t be too strange to see them lose enough matches to finish behind the Kings. But, as we said, that is not very likely to happen.

But the fact that Thunder plays awful still stands. They have only 6 wins in the previous 18 matches, one over the latest six. That is really worrying for all their fans.

Russell Westbrook, on the other hand, isn’t concerned or panicking.

“I’m never worried. I never panic,” said Westbrook. “That’s my job as a leader to make sure we all understand that in 82 games you may have nights where you don’t have it. It happens like that sometimes.”

Russell Westbrook on why he isn’t worried: “I’m never worried. Never panic. That’s my motto: Don’t panic.” pic.twitter.com/MuopvzgfO6

— Maddie Lee (@maddie_m_lee) March 26, 2019

He stated that his team also doesn’t need to listen to other voices who are saying how they should or shouldn’t play and that he doesn’t care about that too much as long as the chemistry in the locker room looks ok.

“Everybody is so wrapped around how everybody thinks we should be playing or how you’re supposed be playing at this time of year,” the 2017 MVP added. “As long as internally we’re fine, that’s why I don’t worry.”

OKC might be fine from the inside, but their performances are terrible lately. Before playing in Tennessee against the Grizzlies, Thunder lost three straight encounters at home. The rivals were tough teams, especially Golden State and Toronto, but Miami shouldn’t be underestimated too.

But that is not the point. If OKC can’t compete against these opponents at home, what chances do they have to eliminate them in the playoffs?

“We gotta play as a team, defend as a team, run as a team, do everything as a team,” said Dennis Schroeder.

It seems that the run of good results during late January and the beginning of February was a consequence of Paul George’s and Westbrook’s excellent performances. PG was red-hot, and he became the frontrunner for the MVP award back then.

OKC slide to 8th with less than 10 games to go to the playoffs! pic.twitter.com/Krcx5QxEBI

— Stadium Astro 🇲🇾 (@stadiumastro) March 26, 2019

Westbrook was at his usual triple-double level, and these two successfully led the team towards the top of the conference. At one point they even had realistic chances of challenging Denver Nuggets and Golden State.

But that all disappeared.

The inconsistency is the trademark of this team since the start of the campaign. OKC plays in streaks, good, bad, good, then bad again. It’s their style, no doubt about that. It became normal for them to amaze the public when not having any chances for the same, while on the other side, disappoint when they are absolute favorites.

It is what coach Billy Donovan mentioned that after the loss in Memphis.

“If you are going to be a great team, the one thing doesn’t allow greatness is inconsistency,” the 53-year old said.

The upcoming schedule is not very comfortable for the Thunder. They have several easier games, to say it like that, against Mavs and Lakers at home, and against Timberwolves in Minnesota, but all others are tough as hell.

Billy Donovan on tonight’s loss: “If you’re going to be a great team, the one thing that doesn’t allow greatness is inconsistency” pic.twitter.com/sZGCiANLyB

— Maddie Lee (@maddie_m_lee) March 26, 2019

Even though the majority of them will take place in Oklahoma City, the rivals are nasty. Pacers, Nuggets, Pistons, and Rockets. The season will be closed against the Bucks on 11th of April in Wisconsin.

Right now, the difference between Thunder and fifth position is not far at all, as the Jazzers have just one-game advantage over Billy Donovan’s boys.

What isn’t good is the current state of the team. But maybe OKC waits for the perfect timing for jumping on a wave of good performances, and ride it deep into the playoffs.

After all, that is their style, to chose the hard way.