[Dazzling Dunks and Basketball BloopersParticipant]

Perhaps more than any player in history, Westbrook’s game is built off of athleticism, energy and playing with wreckless abandon. Not that he isn’t skilled, but his athleticism is what really separates him and puts him in that superstar category. He just has the extra gear that he can get to and sustain that no one else in the league can right now. 

However, with that being said, he is in his 9th season in the league and will be 29 this season. He already has a history of knee problems (although it hasn’t slowed him down so far). He already has a ton of NBA miles on him and is now in a situation where he will be asked to carry more of the load than ever. We all know that father time is undefeated and eventually will catch up to Westbrook. If he loses a step or 2 and can’t play the way he does now, can he still be a superstar in the league?

Traditionally, the guys who are able to play at a high level into their mid to late 30s are the skilled players that don’t rely on athleticism and have an outstanding feel for the game. I’d put guys like jordan, kareem, nowitski, Kobe (before the Achilles injury) into this category. Lebron, durant, and curry all seem like they will likely age well too. At the same time, guys who have relied almost solely on their physical abilities (shaq, Iverson, etc.) don’t really have a great track record of sustaining a high level of play once their physical gifts start to fade. I kind of have a feeling Westbrook could fall into this category. 

So how much longer does Westbrook have before his speed and athleticism start to decline? And can he still be a superstar player once that happens? It will definitely be something for whoever signs him to his next contract to consider.

 

 

 

[ChoppyParticipant]

I can see Westbrook becoming something of a later years Jason Kidd if he were to lose a step. Westbrook can shoot the three (unlike early career Kidd) and that skill doesn’t diminish with athleticism. He is also a very good passer and is adept at getting teammates involved. Those are two skills that shouldn’t decline too badly as he ages. He might not be able to get to the rim as easily, but should still be able to play at a high level. Probably not superstar level though. 

[Dazzling Dunks and Basketball BloopersParticipant]

 Westbrook has never shot over 33% from 3 any season in his career. He has been under 30% the past 2 seasons. He can make three’s but it’s hardly ever been a strength of his game. Westbrook does have good court vision and playmaking skills but a lot of his assists come as a result of teams being so terrified of his ability to get to the rim that they send help before he even drives (which leaves players wide open). Hes not really a traditional floor general like a Chris Paul (although he has shown some improvement in this area).

[ChoppyParticipant]

 I didn’t mean to imply that Westbrook was a Steph Curry from 3, just that he is better from 3 than Kidd was early in his career. He’s got a higher floor to start from. Kidd became a very good 3pt shooter, and I don’t see why Westbrook couldn’t have a similar late career metamorphosis. Kidd was always a much better distributor than Westbrook has been and I take your point that his athleticism gets him a lot of assists. But I can imagine a scenario where Westbrook, with diminishing athleticism, has to conentrate on shooting and passing to maintain a high level of play. Many players couldn’t do it, but Westbrook with his fire and drive I believe has the will to adapt.

[Hype Machine]

Same athleticism curve as D Wade. Will impact his game the same way.

Will be an All Star til hes 34. Can easily play SG or SF when older. 

 

[SeattleSuperChronicsParticipant]

 Not sure how a 6’3" point guard will play small forward once his athleticism is gone…

[TarHeelRavenParticipant]

The only guy I have ever seen with the speed and overall explosiveness equal to Westbrook was 2011 Derrick Rose.  Russell is a freak of nature.  He is skilled,  but obviously what sets him apart is his otherwordly athletic ability and competitive nature.  I think if he stays healthy, and that’s a big "if" he can be a superstar for maybe 2-3 more years.  He doesn’t have the overall skill of an MJ to play at a high level into his mid-30’s like MJ in my opinion.  

[NickWayne87Participant]

 He will be 28 later this month.  Anyways i see him going to his in between game when WE get older as im only a yr older than him.

[HitsterParticipant]

 Westbrook has always looked as if he has a good basketball IQ and so should be able to refine his game as he enters his 30’s. Other highly athletic players like T-Mac and AI didn’t manage to adapt their game as well as other guys have, like D-Wade who was mentioned above.

Russell hasn’t played crazy minutes in his career so far and more importantly hasn’t had to carry a team on his shoulders like say how AI had to, so I think he has aged well career length wise so far and apart from one season when he only played 46 games has stayed fairly sound.

He has a very good defensive player in Oladipo alongside him now, so that will help him a lot. His game will probably refine gradually, he won’t suddenly turn into a pass first PG, I can see him being a very top player for another 4 or 5 seasons.

 

 

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