Trying to figure out Russell Westbrook is a nearly impossible task, but here goes.

First, to figure out Westbrook, we must know who Westbrook is. He’s the point guard for the Oklahoma City Thunder and the 2016-17 NBA MVP. He’s the most divisive player in the league. The only man who can average a triple-double and be painted in a negative light because of it. He’s one of the most explosive players in a the league, a point guard with no fear and sometimes, no control. He’s a fan of fashion and a foe to numbers. By all accounts, he’s a good teammate and a better friend. His passion sometimes mistaken for stubbornness and his stubbornness mistaken for carelessness. 

Just when you think you have all the answers, he changes the questions. 

Here’s what the numbers say about Westbrook this season: 21.1 points on 43 percent shooting from the field and 24 percent from three. His scoring total and 3-point shooting is his worst since his sophomore season in 2009-10. He’s also averaging 10.5 rebounds and 10 assists, but those are just round numbers.

There are a number of reasons for Westbrook’s scoring being down. It could be a combination of all of them. It could be none of them. Here are my best guesses:

Paul George and a System

Curse that Paul George. He gets traded to and then re-signs with the team. Paul George with his efficient shooting and silky smooth offense and all of a sudden Westbrook can’t be Westbrook. Now, Westbrook is just part of a team. Where is the fun in that? No one wants to see Westbrook shoot the ball 18 times a game. We want him shooting 24 times a game. Sure, Steven Adams and George getting those six extra shots are better for the team, but forget the team. We want our Westbrook to ball hog and take all the shots. That’s who we’ve been told Westbrook is. 

This season, Westbrook has been trying to recalibrate. It started at the beginning of last season and led to a rough start for the team. Eventually, Billy Donovan and company abandoned the whole “build with Westbrook” approach and told Russ to be himself. It led to more regular season wins, but the same ugly flaws revealed themselves in crucial games and into the playoffs. 

Thus far, there has been no “let Russ be Russ.” Even in games where it would seem like a perfect time for Westbrook to wave everyone off and look for his own shot, he’s continued to run the offense and get everyone involved. Adams is averaging a career high in attempts and points. Jerami Grant is averaging eight attempts per game and scoring in the double digits. We can even throw in Dennis Schroder, who is getting 14 shots a game, the highest of any Thunder bench player in their history. The increased pace a lot to do with that, but Schroder is still taking more shots this year than Victor Oladipo took in 2016-17. It’s not just pace. It’s Westbrook blending into a system instead of being the system.

For Russ, it’s an adjustment. The struggles are evident and you can clearly see him looking unsure of himself at times. But it’s hard to break a decade of habits in three months. 

Three Kids

Look, the man is a father of three now. He just had twins last month. You try being a professional basketball player and one of the most scrutinized players in the league while dealing with three kids at home. I have a hard enough time writing about the league on a nightly basis and all I have to deal with is a lazy dog.

No Midrange

The midrange shot has a very small place in today’s NBA. If you’re not taking a three or getting to the paint, why are you even playing on offense? But the midrange shot has always been Westbrook’s bread-and-butter. And for the best midrange shooters or the right situations, there is still value in taking a midrange shot.

In his MVP season, Westbrook took 7.3 midrange shots per game, fifth highest average in the league. That was on par with the amount of shots he took in the restricted area (7.4 attempts per game). Last season, he was down to 6.6 midrange attempts per game, which was still the third highest average. This year, he’s at 4.3 attempts, the 12th highest average. It shows not only how far the midrange game has tailed off in recent years, but how Westbrook has attempted to adapt with the game.

Whether or not it’s worked is a different story. By eliminating the midrange game, Westbrook is either getting to the rim or shooting from three. He’s struggled to finish at the rim since coming back from injury, converting 59 percent of his shots in the restricted area in his last 13 games. Of the 26 players who takes at least six restricted area shots per game, only Andre Drummond and Jusuf Nurkic have a lower shooting percentage. 

And no midrange means more 3-point attempts. Sam Presti can say, “Westbrook is working on his 3-point shooting” all he wants… Russell Westbrook is not a good 3-point shooter. His career high is 34 percent during his MVP season. He’s at 24 percent on 5.1 attempts per game this season. 

Westbrook is trying to be the analytics darling that people want him to be. But it’s never been who he. Being a below average finisher at the rim and poor 3-point shooter looks just as bad on effective field goal percentage as hitting a couple of midrange shots per game.

In the philosophy of Steve Kerr, I’d rather Westbrook go 3-for-6 from midrange than 2-for-6 from three. Because Russell Westbrook should never take six threes in a game.

That Stupid Rule

For some reason, last season, the NBA decided that players couldn’t leave the circle while shooting a free throw. This turned out to be a big problem for Westbrook, who liked to walk to half court during his free throw routine. He went from being an 84 percent free throw shooter in 2016-17 and never shooting below 80 percent from the line to being a 73 percent free throw shooter last season.

He’s at 61 percent from the stripe this year.

How Sway?

NBA players are creatures of habit. Their life is one big routine. The NBA screwed up Westbrook’s routine and he’s never recovered. I’m willing to offer my services to Westbrook to spend a day with him and help him come up with a new free throw routine that will bring him back up to 80 percent. 

In Conclusion

What’s wrong with Russell Westbrook? Maybe a lot of things. Maybe nothing. In my personal opinion, there’s nothing wrong with Westbrook. Something is wrong with the rest of us.