NBA 2019-20: 3 burning questions for Russell Westbrook heading into the next season

Russell Westbrook is one of the most dynamic players in the history of NBA. He is a former MVP and has averaged three consecutive triple-doubles over the past three seasons.

But Russell Westbrook has failed to produce great performances in the playoffs. Since the departure of Kevin Durant, he had lost in the first round of the playoffs three consecutive times. He has been heavily criticized from all sections of the media. His decision-making capabilities have been questioned especially during crunch moments in matches. He has played with some great players, produced some of the most mind-numbing individual performances possible but he is yet to win a ring.

There is no doubt that Westbrook puts in 200% effort in every match. He plays with aggression and tenacity. But he needs to improve certain important aspects of his game to be able to win a ring.

Here are the 3 burning questions for Russell Westbrook heading into the next season:

#3 Can Russell Westbrook win a championship with his playing style?

Kevin Durant was drafted by the Thunder in the 2007 NBA draft. Over the years, he developed into one of the finest basketball players in the world. But the Thunder organization started favoring Westbrook over him and there were rumors that Durant didn't feel he could win a championship with Westbrook as the best player of the team. Durant left for the Warriors in the 2016 Free Agency and won two out of three championships with them.

Westbrook is yet to advance further than the first round of the playoffs in the absence of Durant. With his transfer to the Houston Rockets, he now has a superstar in James Harden and a very good core of players.

Westbrook has the talent and the willpower and he can silence all his critics with a win with the Houston Rockets.

#2 Can Russell Westbrook improve his shooting?

Oklahoma City Thunder v Los Angeles Lakers

Russell Westbrook is one of the most dangerous players in the NBA in transition plays. There is simply no match for his speed and athleticism. He also thrives in the mid-post area and commands a lot of attention by the defenders.

But Westbrook's shooting has been troubling him in recent years. His shooting touch has disappeared and he ends up jacking far too many shots. His three point shooting percentage has kept on declining on a yearly basis. Last season he shot less than 30% from the three point line. His Free throw shooting was also way off his usual standards. He managed to hit less than 65% from the charity stripe.

With the league being favorable to shooters, Russell has been found wanting in tight matches. He needs to improve his shooting especially in D'Antoni's system which over emphasizes on shooting from the perimeter.

#1 How can Russell Westbrook integrate with James Harden in the same team?

Russell Westbrook needs to fit in perfectly with James Harden

Harden and Westbrook are two of the best players in the NBA. They are also very ball-dominant players and usually end up with the highest usage rate percentages across the league.

Westbrook makes his best moves in transition plays and is also good in the mid-post area, as well as when pick-and-rolls are executed well. Integrating his playing style with that of Harden will be difficult, since James Harden prefers a slower pace and requires plenty of ball-watching in possession at times. Harden has also been the number one preference for the Rockets over the years, so it will mostly be Westbrook who would need to adjust his play.

If they can manage to develop a good chemistry on-court and a deadly understanding, there will be no stopping the Rockets.