Thunder won’t bump Westbrook’s minutes in search for better offense

The Thunder always was going to look different without

Without the second-unit center, is left looking for offense. And he’s going to try a range of ways to find it.

But it’s unlikely that in his search for scoring the Thunder coach will increase

load. Entering Wednesday’s game at Chesapeake Energy Arena against the Chicago Bulls, Westbrook was averaging 34.7 minutes per game, which ranked 21st in the NBA. And though Kanter’s absence leaves an offensive void, Donovan isn’t looking for more minutes out of Westbrook.

“I think everybody here would agree that (Westbrook) plays with great energy and passion and intensity,” Donovan said before the game. “He sometimes needs a break, because if he doesn’t get a break or a necessary break, he’s not gonna be as efficient as a player, and I don’t think you’d be looking at the same player that you’d normally be looking at.”

Westbrook entered Wednesday leading the NBA in scoring at (30.7 points per game) and fieldgoal attempts (23.8) and tied for second in assists (10.3).

He’s doing his part. Donovan doesn’t need to see Westbrook do more.

So the Thunder will continue to look for other ways to compensate.

“Even moving players around to different positions,” Donovan said. “I think you have to do that. The biggest challenge for us and for me is the fact that over a long stretch of time, we found a really, really good rhythm and we’ve created an identity with Enes. And now with him being out, we’ve got to create a different identity.”

But that identity is unlikely to feature significantly more minutes for Westbrook.

The Thunder commemorated the start of Black History Month on Wednesday.

Oklahoma City started the celebration with a song. Before the national anthem, singer/songwriter

sang “Lift Every Voice.” Jones-Davis, founder of Sing For Change, an HIV/AIDS advocacy initiative, is the wife of

a member of the Thunder medical staff.