Kevin Durant: Thunder Better When Russell Westbrook Shoots a Lot

Fans and media like to fret over Russell Westbrook occassionally taking more shots than superstar teammate Kevin Durant, but KD argues that the OKC Thunder are at their best when the aggressive point guard is putting up a lot of shots. From the Oklahoman: “Going into Monday’s game, Westbrook was within three shots of Durant’s number of attempts this season. But the Thunder is 20-4 when Westbrook takes more shots than Durant, and Oklahoma City has won by an average margin of 12.4 points in those victories. ‘We’re worse when I take more shots,’ Durant said. […] ‘And traditionally, a point guard is not supposed to take more shots than everybody else on the team. But we’re better when he does do that and he’s aggressive. And I’m better when I’m out there facilitating, rebounding, defending and being more efficient on my shots with less shots.’ Both Durant and Westbrook are in the middle of the most efficient seasons of their careers. […] ‘Russell’s having a phenomenal season,’ Durant said. ‘I get upset when people kind of overlook that because of me needing more shots or stuff like that. He’s having the best point guard in the league type of year. We’re winning games and the other stuff doesn’t matter.’ Durant added that the non-stop criticism actually has pulled the entire team closer together. […] Westbrook, meanwhile, took the criticism in stride. ‘I just let my play speak for itself, honestly. As a team we’re doing great. We’re (nearly) tied for the best record in the league. So I’ll just take the good with the bad and I guess just go with it. I don’t really mind it.’ Westbrook went on to say that he has never talked with Durant about shot attempts. ‘That’s not an issue on our team,’ Westbrook said. ‘That’s an issue in the media, but it’s not an issue on our team. So if it’s not an issue on our team I can care less.'”