Thunder coach Billy Donovan said it's by design — starting the offense through Paul George and Carmelo Anthony rather than Russell Westbrook.
Westbrook, No. 2 in the league in usage percentage (35.1) — a measure of plays which end with a shot attempt, free throw attempt or turnover by one player — hasn't been off the ball as much as anticipated in the arrival of George and Anthony. But for a handful of plays Saturday in the second half against Charlotte, Anthony and George brought the ball up and initiated the offense with Westbrook on the floor.