Melo: Westbrook 'not trying to defer to anybody' is the key to OKC's success

The early-season struggles are starting to feel like a thing of the past in Oklahoma City, and Carmelo Anthony seems to have pinpointed the reason.

After starting the year 14-15, the Thunder have won six straight games, and Wednesday night's victory over the Toronto Raptors may be the best evidence of what they're capable of doing moving forward.

"I think the fact that Russ (Westbrook) is just playing, not trying to defer to anybody - to any one of us - just playing his game and letting us play off of him," Anthony told reporters postgame. "And I think he's just much more effective by doing that rather than deferring to myself or Paul (George)."

Westbrook is back in MVP form, averaging 30 points, 10.3 assists, and 8.3 rebounds while shooting 56.3 percent. Prior to this stretch, Westbrook was averaging 22.8 points on 38.8 percent from the field.

"We know what he brings to the game," Anthony said. "We understand it. We accept it and by that, he's able to just play his game, relax, and do what he do best. We need that Russ out there. Not the one who defers to us. Let us figure it out."