[Wavy BagelsParticipant]

Like many basketball fans and critics, I have been discretely following the growth of Russell Westbrook since the emergence of the OKC Thunder. Since entering the league, many have questioned his ability to operate at the PG position and it continues today. Personally, I think he has improved his skills as a PG, although his game screams "Shooting Guard!". With that said, there is ALWAYS room for improvement. His decision making and body language/attitude are two things I look at first for Westbrook, especially from witnessing his terrible performance in Game 2 of the NBA Finals. Anyway, at only 23 years old, I believe things will turn around for Westbrook and as long he has people such as Derek Fisher, Mo Cheeks and Scott Brooks mentoring the young PG, he will soon figure it out. Now my question is what is Westbrook’s ceiling at the PG position (Compared to a another notable PG, past or present) and how many years are you willing to give him to reach that potential before you are willing to "GIVE UP" on him?

 

[mosdefParticipant]

I compare him to Dywane Wade when he played PG but a better shooter in this phaze of his career. Wade and Penny Hardaway both switched over to to SG and he probably should to eventually

[TallmanNYCParticipant]

His ceiling is unlimited because his weakness is his outside shooting and decision making which tends to get better with experience. But right now he is mainly a scorer who takes A LOT of shots to get those points. For example, last night Harden’s 21 points on 11 shots was much better than Westbrook’s 27 points on 26 shots.

[HotSnotParticipant]

I agree with everything you said razorSHARPE.

If OKC wins the title this year it will be the worst thing that could happen to Westbrooks development.  Why would he change anything about his playing style going foward under those circumstances?  If it ain’t broke don’t fix it will be his attitude. I’m sure he’s been told over and over not to listen to all the those bashing his PG abilities. 

[avavalisParticipant]

A 23ppg version of Dennis Johnson…or a more athletic (and better defender) Tony Parker

[NickWayne87Participant]

 always was always will be……in my honest opinion pg’s are born not made…..as in you may can be taught pg skills but it’s either gonna be your nature to pass first or shoot first…….

[Memphis MadnessParticipant]

A combination of David Thompson and Gary Payton.  If the Thunder’s Big Four all reach their ceiling then they could win 6 or 7 titles.  Kevin Durant’s ceiling is a Peak MJ/Peak Dirk combo, along with James Harden having a Manu/Pippen upside.

Not sure what Ibaka’s upside is, but it should be pretty good.  What about Horace Gran’t mid-range jumper and offense along with Dwight Howard’s dunks, blocks, with a rebounding ability sort of in between those two.  Somewhere between Horace Grant’s understated toughness and Dwight Howard’s flair.

Of course, if Kendrick Perkins gets a jumper then he will be a shorter Bill Cartwright type.  That’s probably his upside.  A ’91 to ’93 Cartwright.  Thabo Sefolosha’s upside is a shorter Shane Battier.

Talk about a CEILING TEAM.

 

[220Participant]

I think a lot of the talk about Westbrook revolves around the concept of a pure point guard vs a combo guard. Westbrook isn’t a pure point guard in most peoples eyes but there really aren’t many high level pure points. The first two in this era are Steve Nash and Jason Kidd…the guys who think pass first and second. If you look at the critcisms Westbrook faces a lot of things he does are similar to the top point guards now in Derrick Rose, Chris Paul, Deron Williams, and Tony Parker. These four attack quite often but keep their head up and make a ton of plays. Westbrook is more in their category.

In my mind Westrbook’s not a combo guard or a two guard he’s this era’s point guard, the guy who is often the teams engine for whatever they need to win. His pure point guard ceiling should be considered as high as just about any other point in the league right now.

Still with that being said if Boston was offering Rondo at the beginning of next season for Westbrook it would be hard to turn down.

[JustaFanParticipant]

The closest thing I could think of would be D.Rose because of their Athleticism but thats kind of where that ends. I may be alone here or not but I think the ceiling for Russell Westbrook is Russell himself at his absolute best and he’s had plenty of games where he’s shown just how dominant he can be. Minus some of the dumb turnovers and making sure he gets his teammates involved instead of looking for his own shot as much… I’ve never seen a PG quite like Russell Westbrook as long as I been watching the game he can do anything he wants with the ball in his hands, he’s a tenacious defender and the only PG hitting the boards like him is Rondo. Westbrook is one of a kind in my eyes. He only gets ridiculed for his decision making at times for being overly aggressive especially when KD’s on the floor but other than that find a major flaw.

[GoJOSH HUESTISParticipant]

ceiling is HOF(well on his way to that already)  He’s already been all NBA in his 3rd and fouth year in the NBA and he’s only 23. His Fg% has gone up every year and he is capable of avg double figure assist

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