This topic contains 38 replies, has 20 voices, and was last updated by AvatarAvatar A Lil English 11 years, 1 month ago.

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  • #46855
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    RickyRubio9
    Participant

    I’m just curious because I constantly see a bunch of hate when it comes to this guy…

    What is everyone’s opinion on him?
    What’s his ceiling?
    Is he a good pairing with Durant?
    Should they trade him?
    Where do you rank him on PG’s/Overall?
    How would you try and coach him to fix his game?

    I am a huge fan, probably one of his biggest fans and I literally feel like the only one in the World. None of my friends are big on him nor is anyone on Twitter that I follow or Facebook, etc.

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  • #750920
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    ilike.panochas
    Participant

    I don’t think anyone here are actually “hating” on his game, the guy is a flat out baller. I think the people have issues with is his attitude and demeanor at times. Take for example his outburst towards a teammate Thabo a couple weeks ago. He has a temper and I think that’s what people have a problem with.

    He also has an awful taste when it comes to fashion, he and James Harden can’t dress at all.

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  • #750923
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    Tyrober
    Participant

    I love Westbrook. People were knocking him and his outburst against Thabo a couple of weeks ago, but I love the fire he plays with. They were up over 20 and Thabo missed a play a Westbrook got pissed. I wish every player had that same passion and mentality that nothing is ever good enough. I do think he shoots to much but that is part of his game. He is literally unguardable.

    What is everyone’s opinion on him? Love him.
    What’s his ceiling? His ceiling is the best pg in the game.
    Is he a good pairing with Durant? He shoots a little too much but still 2 of the best scorers in the game
    Should they trade him? Hell no
    Where do you rank him on PG’s/Overall? Top 3
    How would you try and coach him to fix his game? Pass more as a PG. I would actually want him to play a little more as a 2 guard at times.

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    • #750935
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      Siggy
      Participant

      You got it twisted. In the incident with Thabo, Westbrook was the one at fault. Thabo let him know and Westbrook blew up at him. Him being at fault made his temper tantrum look even worse.

      I personally am not a fan of him. He’s a player who you have to take the bad with the good. You can expect a number of bad decisions, some happening in key situations.

      I don’t know how much more he can improve raw numbers wise. Maybe he can become more efficient if he became a better 3 pt shooter.

      He’s a good pairing with Durant because his aggressiveness draws attention from multiple defenders, which means less defenders keying in on KD, but I can think of a number of better fits.

      I would’ve traded him and kept Harden.

      I’d probably have him around 5 as far as PGs go, depending on how D.Rose comes back.

      I don’t think he’s fixable or coachable really. If you try to contain him or try to make him play more like a “pure point,” you risk him losing his aggressiveness. His aggressiveness and unpredictability, combined with his ability to physically dominate his matchup is what makes him so effective. IMO, if you want Westbrook at his best, you just have to let him go and run wild since he’s not a thinker or a clever player. He’s about as clever or subtle as a bat to the face.

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  • #750925
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    FastAndFurious
    Participant

    double post

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  • #750924
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    FastAndFurious
    Participant

    My opinion on Russ? Best PG in the league right now

    What’s his ceiling? Just as high as any current PG playing, he can be a HOF if he can keep increasing his skill level

    Is he a good pairing with Durant? Yes, peep Russ’s stats they gone up every year, and in doing so the Thunder have won more games each year and went further in the playoffs each year.

    Should they trade him? No, why? Check my last answer.

    Where do you rank him on PG’s overall? #1 PG, top 10 overall player in the NBA

    How would you try and coach him to fix his game? I wouldnt say much to Russ.

    People contradict themselves so much on here it’s crazy, ppl consider Irving a top 3 PG already and the dude aint even going to the playoffs, Russ has gotten better every year and it reflects in the Thunders record and in the post season when it matters most, he wins, people can criticize his game as much as they want, but the boy is a winner, I’ve never had a problem with his game, sometimes he is erratic, but that comes with him, his good outweighs his bad.

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  • #750930
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    ilike.panochas
    Participant

    Very few PGs play offense and defense as well as Westbrook does, if any. He’s right behind CP3 and Parker as far as best PG conversation goes. I’m not ready to put Irving ahead of Westbrook just yet, because he doesn’t play defense like Westbrook can.

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    • #750932
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      For_Never_Ever
      Participant

      Lets say if Rondo was swapped for Westbrook. I really believe the thunder would be such a all around better team then they are now.

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      • #750939
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        Tyrober
        Participant

        Rondo has empty stats. I know he is a good player, but the Celtics look just as good since he went down with injury if not better. I know he piles up the assists, but it really seems like that is all he cares about. I would never trade Westbrook for Rondo.

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    • #750934
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      For_Never_Ever
      Participant

      Double post

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    • #750936
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      Siggy
      Participant

      Westbrook is an incredibly overrated defender. On the ball he’s good. His team defense is not good though since he tends to gamble a lot and lose his man.

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      • #750940
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        KDThunder35
        Participant

        Exactly. Man to man he is excellent and disruptive. However, I see him lose his man in off the ball situations far too much. He doesn’t have any interest in fighting around a pick.

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      • #750943
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        For_Never_Ever
        Participant

        I think he has been overrated as a defender for a while now. He is good, but not great as people seem to make him.

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  • #750928
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    alinge
    Participant

    What is everyone’s opinion on him? Unbelievable talent, still believe he would probably be a better shooting guard than point guard, plays with great passion and intensity
    What’s his ceiling? I think he is going to be a hall of famer
    Is he a good pairing with Durant? Look at the results, that team wins and if one has an off night the other can carry the load
    Should they trade him? hell no
    Where do you rank him on PG’s/Overall? 4th behind CP3, Parker and Rose. 10/15 range overall
    How would you try and coach him to fix his game? Pass a bit more but I wouldn’t want to change too much

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  • #750926
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    For_Never_Ever
    Participant

    I have always had a problem with him being put in the category of top 3 pg in the league. Other then getting his he doesn’t bring much being the PG of a team. He is very wild at times, extremely selfish, forces the issue and has tunnel vision. He does have elite size and athleticism that cannot be matched the majority of the time by other pg’s. Great at getting to the rim and good all around shooter. I actually think he is a better sg then a point.

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  • #750938
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    ilike.panochas
    Participant

    If you switch Rondo for Westbrook on that team, Thunders would not be as potent offensively. I’m sorry but as great as Durant is as a scorer, lets not act as if Westbrook does not relieve any pressure off Durant. Other than Durant and Kevin Martin, no one else can score on that team. Westbrook carries as much load as Durant does offensively, and that is why I think their a good fit together.

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  • #750941
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    FastAndFurious
    Participant

    So Durant’s going to average 50 a game then right?

    Rondo’s not a scorer, Westbrook has to score for the Thunder to win and be successful.

    Rondo is he a better facilitator? Yes, but you take Westbrook away from the Thunder you only have Durant and K.Martin who can really score, Westbrook brings that other top flight scorer and he still is handing out 8 APG, the only thing Rondo would do is get Kevin Durant the scoring title each year, but the Thunder would not be as good with Rondo as they are with Westbrook.

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    • #750945
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      For_Never_Ever
      Participant

      No, Rondo would make everyone better as a collective whole. Durant is the person on the team that needs least help from the pg.

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      • #750951
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        Mkadoza
        Participant

        Can you imagine a Rondo-Ibaka pick-and-roll with Durant spotting up weakside for a pop out or a cut? I think Ibaka gets 16 a night, Martin gets 20, and Durant 30+.

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        • #750953
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          For_Never_Ever
          Participant

          Ibaka doesn’t get enough touches. He can consistently knock down the 15/18 feet shot. He would have more incentive to run on the break for all the lob dunks he would be getting as well.

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  • #750946
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    IndianaBasketball
    Participant

    What I like about Russell Westbrook:

    – He’s tenacious. He has no friends on the court. He plays mean. He’s aggressive. He plays with confidence. I want all of these things in my player.

    – He produces. 22.9 points, 8 assists, 5.2 rebounds and 1.9 steals. He fills the stat sheet.

    – He’s a freak athlete AND he’s durable.

    – Upside/Potential. He still has a lot of room to improve.

    – I think he’s done a good job getting better every season.

    What I don’t like about Russell Westbrook:

    – He only shoots 43% and his shot selection is still suspect to me. He still forces shots and plays out of control.

    – He averages more shot attempts than the guy on his team who shoots 51.2% and is averaging 28.8 points. IF Durant played with a more pass first point guard who got him easy baskets consistently, he’d average 30+ easily.

    – He’s still turning the ball over too much.

    – He’s a tenacious on ball defender, but watch him off of the ball. He falls asleep, gambles and doesn’t seem to have the highest defensive IQ.

    – He has a temper problem, which screams immaturity to me. I don’t think he’s a bad teammate, but he needs to correct that. You can’t lose it like that.

    With all that said, he’s clearly a top five point guard.

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  • #750947
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    For_Never_Ever
    Participant

    Rondo isn’t a great shooter, but lets not mistake that he can’t score points. Because he definitely can score similar to Tony Parker.

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  • #750967
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    halfdecayed
    Participant

    lol you really said westbrook was the best PG in the league. haha good one

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  • #750969
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    aamir543
    Participant

    I’ve been a huge Westbrook fan for a very long time, I believe he’s going to be a top 5 player in the league very soon and will be very good even when his athleticism is gone

    Sky is the limit for him, I see a point guard version of D-Wade as his ceiling, a guy that tenaciously attacks the rim but also has a ver nice midrange game.(I’m not saying he’s as good as D-Wade was, I’m saying that’s his ceiling)

    Perfect pairing for Durant, Durant’s can score from anywhere and although he can get to the rim with ease his bread and butter is the midrange and the three point shot, where as Westbrook thrives off getting to the rim and the midrange jumpshot. I think he’s the best pull-up shooter in the game, it’s hard to defend that as a defender who’s peddling back on D.

    No, they should never trade him, way too valuable. He’d put up 32 5 and 5 on his own team. If he were on Houston right now he’d be a lock for 30 every single night, probably average close to 35(yes, I’m serious) just imagine his running up and down in that Houston offense

    I put him 3rd for now, behind CP3 and Tony Parker, he’s neck and neck with a healthy D-Rose.

    I’d try to help him with his shot selection, really, that’s all that’s missing. For a PG like him, his percentages until this season were very good, and even this season 43% isn’t terrible, D-Rose shot 43% the year he won his MVP, AI shot under 40% for many of his early years, same with Jason Kidd. And I’d also try to get him to defer to KD a little more at the end of games, but all of this will come with time.

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  • #750981
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    FastAndFurious
    Participant

    What’s wrong with thinking/calling Westbrook the best PG?

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  • #750982
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    FastAndFurious
    Participant

    What’s wrong with thinking/calling Westbrook the best PG?

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  • #750985
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    Platypus
    Participant

    Just a thought not to sure so i’m asking this. If the Thunder had traded Westbrook for Rondo, do you think that the Thunder would have had enough money to keep Harden? I mean can you imagine a back court of Rondo, Harden, and Durant…

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  • #750988
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    IndianaBasketball
    Participant

    I don’t see how anyone can make the claim that Russ is better than CP3 or TP right now. They are CLEARLY the best at their positions at this point in time. They’re just so much more efficient, turn the ball over less and just are better decision makers on the floor.

    Is Russ the most exciting point guard in the league? Yes. Best though? No.

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  • #750992
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    FastAndFurious
    Participant

    Westbrook has as much say so for best PG in the League as anybody.

    15.3 PPG, 5.3 APG, 4.9 RPG Thunder:23-59, Postseason:None

    16.1 PPG, 8.0 APG, 4.9 RPG Thunder: 50-32 Potseason: Lost first round of playoffs(4-2)

    21.9 PPG, 8.2 APG, 4.6 RPG Thunder: 55-27 Postseason: Lost in WCF(4-1)

    23.6 PPG , 5.5 APG, 4.6 RPG Thunder: 47-19(Would have won more than 55 games if 82 games would have been played) Postseason: Lost in NBA Finals(4-1)

    Bring up efficency, and whatever else you want, at the end of the day Russ wins games, the Thunder getting better isn’t all because of Westbrook, but he’s their PG and they go as far as he goes, and it shows if he gets better the Thunder get better, there’s no arguing that, numbers dont lie.

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    • #751002
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      IGO4TW
      Participant

      Russell s not the best pg in the league.And you can’t say that he wins games when he has the best scorer in the league next to him and two good post defenders too in Ibaka and Perkins.Now if you want to say that he s probably the best scoring pg in the league i would probably agree(though i can see Kyrie caliming that title in a couple of years)…If he wins a couple of rings he s definitelly a HOFer(maybe he s a HOFer without the rings but i m just saying) but CP3,TP and a healthy D-Rose to me are better pgs that Westbrook.

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    • #751041
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      Lebron’s Hairline
      Participant

      You know some guy named KD also got better; Ibaka and a harden had alot to do with their success also

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  • #750997
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    jazzmailman
    Participant

    – What is everyone’s opinion on him?

    I LOVE Russ, love his character, love how he always plays with fire and a chip on his shoulder (lightly recruited and people were calling Thunder crazy for drafting him at 4th – but every NBA player who played summer ball at UCLA knew he was going to be good).

    A flat out winner, 2 Final Fours at UCLA. Thunder is a top 5 Team in the NBA. NEVER injured – hasn’t missed a game since high school. Brings energy and passion night in and night out. Has improved every single season since entering the league. IF he’s on that Rockets team instead of Harden, Russ will lead the league in scoring.

    Plays out of control at times, forcing shots instead of deferring to Durant. A good defender but slightly overrated (he was PAC 10 DPY). But if you think Russell is a bad defender, you must’ve not seen Harden playing defense.

    – What’s his ceiling?

    Hall of famer. Can you believe that he is already a top 5 pg AND still has upside?

    Is he a good pairing with Durant?

    I really hope he’d be less selfish at times and defer to Durant. But in Russell’s defense, maybe Durant should defer to him.

    – Should they trade him?

    NO. Should’ve got rid of Perkins and kept Harden.

    – Where do you rank him on PG’s/Overall?

    3rd behind CP3, Parker. Healthy Rose and Dwill might have something to say but they aren’t healthy. Overall top 15 right now.

    – How would you try and coach him to fix his game?

    Get rid of Scott Brooks and actually run some plays at the end of games – how many times have we seen Thunder simply going ISO at the end of games? If Brooks has both Durant and Russ moving at the same time, they are unguardable.

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    • #751012
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      Tyrober
      Participant

      Top 15? Surely you accidentally slipped a 1 in there.

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      • #751015
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        Ghost01
        Participant

        I’m pretty sure he meant “overall top 15” as in, overall, not just including point guards but all players he would be top 15. This is likely in response to the OP asking for that very thing. I really don’t think Westbrook is a top 5 overall player in the NBA, but maybe that’s just me.

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  • #751007
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    Ghost01
    Participant

    See, I think its a discussion of the old school position obsessors vs the new school positionless obsessors.

    To me, Rose and Westbrook are by far the two best “point guards” in the league. No they don’t pass as good as some others, but athletically, and skill wise, they are both just unstoppable. CP has some really quiet nights. People don’t talk about this but it has been true his whole Clipper career. He’s also gotten baptized by TP, Rose, and Westbrook these past coouple years. I love TP’s game, but the fact is, in a 7 game series, he isn’t going to put up 28-8 and carry his team like these others are capable of. He has some huge games but he’s more likely to be in the 19-8 range. Rose and Westbrook have their weaknesses, but both are truly star players who can dominate a game from start to finish. I would say Rose is a better passer and better overall player, and it also helps his cause as a primary scorer that he doesn’t play with KD. KD should be leading his team in shots, and Westbrook’s inability to truly play the 1 has a lot to do with why the Thunder have failed recently in the post season. Great talent, great athlete, but mentally he needs to mature.

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  • #751037
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    Entropy
    Participant

    I don’t think people should blame Westbrook for shooting too much. Its more the coach telling him to shoot. They win games.

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  • #751039
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    FastAndFurious
    Participant

    Westbrook is a top 10 player overall in the NBA and to me is the best PG in the league thats what i meant.

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  • #751074
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    McDunkin

     If thats what you say bruh

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  • #751090
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    A Lil English
    Participant

    opinion on him?
    Great player, could be a lot better with better shot selection though. The recent game against Miami showed his tendency to be too selfish.

    ceiling?
    Seeing as its pretty obvious he has much of the same attributes as Rose, I think we will not see his true ceiling unless he has his own team. You have to wonder if he could be THE franchise player to a championship calibre team like the Bulls.

    good pairing with Durant?
    It seems they have a great relationship, so yes. Every superstar needs help. Durant, Lebron, Wade, Kobe all of em. Better to have a 2 headed dragon.

    Should they trade him?
    The winning says to me that should ride it til the wheels fall off. I feel its just a shame Harden couldn’t play with them because I thought the 3 could beat Miami with more experience.

    Where do you rank him on PG’s/Overall?
    For PG rank its hard to say. I’d definitely take Paul over him but I think Parker & Rose really play with players and in systems that help them to do what they do so well. In other words, I think the Spurs & Bulls are built around those 2 better. I guess Westbrook is in the 3-5 range for position and 10-15 in the league. Clearly a perennial all star.

    How would you try and coach him to fix his game?
    If Scott Brooks isn’t changing him then neither am I. He has clearly learnt a lot since his rookie year all by himself. He will continue to do so.

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