Kevin Durant provided Russell Westbrook with the opportunity to be announced last during player introductions during his first game back since last season's injury. The deferred introduction could be interpreted as merely a kind gesture to most spectators. Westbrook, on the other hand, viewed it as much more.

“It's a blessing, man,” said Westbrook of Durant’s act, but the true blessing will be if Durant defers to Westbrook and gives him the opening to lead the Oklahoma City Thunder to a championship. 

Perseverance, or mental toughness, is one of the most underrated qualities of an NBA player. Yet, in many cases it is the delineating factor between two great players. Durant, for instance, struggled to endure difficult circumstances; in particular those associated with James Harden being traded to the Houston Rockets.

During an interview with The Oklahoman, Durant confided:

"I was screaming at my teammates, at the refs, at the coaches. I got mad because I thought… if we have a bad game here, we're not going to win a championship.” 

Durant now professes that he will no longer worry about winning a championship. Likewise, he should not concern himself with serving as the team’s leader, but instead on accentuating leadership qualities. Westbrook should take on the leadership role for the Thunder.

Leadership can be defined as “a process of social influence” or the “action of leading a group to a common goal,” while a leader is the individual entrusted to cultivate the social influence that will eventually advance the group to their goal. Durant definitely demonstrated leadership qualities during Friday's game against the Detroit Pistons, scoring 37 points and getting to the free throw line 19 times.

Yet, it was Westbrook’s personality that cultivated the overall positive and enthusiastic sensation that led Oklahoma City to victory. He consistently plays with an explosive force that can be seen by onlookers but, most importantly, felt by teammates.  

Chauncey Billups speaks to Westbrook’s influential personality by stating, “In my opinion, Durant is the best player on the team. However, Russell’s explosiveness is what will make or break the team’s chances to win a championship.”

NBA teams traditionally take on the personality of the “best player” and of their head coach. Although the title of Oklahoma City Thunder’s “best player” is reserved for Durant, it is indisputable that Westbrook’s attitude and personality is the explosive force that influences the entire team. Such influence is needed to transform the Thunder into a championship worthy team comparable to the 2004 Pistons who were known for perseverance, physical endurance, effective defense, aggressive attitude, and unwavering grit… Sounds a lot like leadership qualities possessed by Russell Westbrook.

There are some people that will disagree and their skepticism is, in large part, a response to Westbrook’s occasional reckless impulses (like getting an offensive foul at the end of the game that kept the Pistons within striking distance). But it is important to recognize that the Thunder are no longer the skilled team they were with James Harden and their fate cannot be determined solely by Durant’s playing abilities. Westbrook’s leadership qualities, explosive personality, and ability to motivate and mobilize his team may be what Oklahoma City needs to move them toward a championship.