[jetlifitsuks2buParticipant]

Who would have thought that Durantula the Slim Reaper and his side kick would have a complete 180 this year. It seems as if they have just seemingly switched rolls. When Westbrook was out Durant made us all fortune tellers. We all predicted that outcome. Now Durant is out and Westbrook is one in the same. Westbrook playing so well its like you almost have to ask the is question were does “Durant FIT IN”? Westbrook has had a epic February, one for the history books. Four triple doubles in a row averaging over 30 points 9 rebounds and 10 assist, killer numbers and looking like a mad man while doing it. No one can question his heart,passion or intent to kill everything, Has Durant been in the way? Has Durant been holding him back from what he can be in this league? To me I think that Westbrook is a great talent something maybe this league has never seen before. When Durant comes back how is he going to fit in the “WESTBROOK” game plan. How do you take Westbrook away from that game plan? In the month of February they went 9-3. is that fools gold? To me its clear that Westbrook would be able to get gr8 historic numbers without Durant or something close to him it would b very had to win rings with the way Westbrook is playing. Yes he averages 10 assist but he had the ball on maybe 97% of the play’s will that work in the playoffs. Man that’s crazy that Durant has almost turned into the side kick. Can he deal with that? I know one thing when Durant coms back there going to be a big story out there in the air ways.

[BiggysmallsParticipant]

 Why does one have to "fit in" with the other? For the Thunder to win, both guys need to dominate. Durant shouldn’t take 40 shots a game, so naturally Westbrook is going to shoot alot too. Bot guys should be around 20 shots. Durant is better coming off screens, playing off the ball I think than he is in iso settings so it would make sense that Westy is going to have the ball in his hands a lot. 

Both guys need to be first options for OKC because they really don’t have a great third option or anyone else who can really create offense, beyond Kanter in doses. 

 

[jetlifitsuks2buParticipant]

The reason I ask if Durant has a place is because, there has already been question weather westbrook is the type of player or point guard that can exist with a player like Durant. Durant can do anything on the floor man. he can score in any situation and more efficiently. There has to be structure and what your taking about us basically a one on one its your turn type thing and that’s they have such a problems deep in the playoffs. In order for them both to be “first options” if that’s possible is to have a better offense and a guard that has better decision making because Westbrooks decision making is awful in my opinion. How do you ask westbrook to revert back from shooting 40 times a game. To shoot 40 times and have 10 assist do you know how much the ball is in that mans hands? damn near every position. To ask westbrook to cut back would mean that he has to shoot at most 20 less times and has the ball that much less. To me I think Durant needs a Wall someone that’s a pass first guard but can get his shoot anytime. Someone that knows that role. Westbrook isn’t that player. Westbrook wants to lead and that’s not a problem. I just don’t think he can do that with the type of player like Durant on his team.

[jetlifitsuks2buParticipant]

The reason I ask if Durant has a place is because, there has already been question weather westbrook is the type of player or point guard that can exist with a player like Durant. Durant can do anything on the floor man. he can score in any situation and more efficiently. There has to be structure and what your taking about us basically a one on one its your turn type thing and that’s they have such a problems deep in the playoffs. In order for them both to be “first options” if that’s possible is to have a better offense and a guard that has better decision making because Westbrooks decision making is awful in my opinion. How do you ask westbrook to revert back from shooting 40 times a game. To shoot 40 times and have 10 assist do you know how much the ball is in that mans hands? damn near every position. To ask westbrook to cut back would mean that he has to shoot at most 20 less times and has the ball that much less. To me I think Durant needs a Wall someone that’s a pass first guard but can get his shoot anytime. Someone that knows that role. Westbrook isn’t that player. Westbrook wants to lead and that’s not a problem. I just don’t think he can do that with the type of player like Durant on his team.

[BiggysmallsParticipant]

 Why does one have to "fit in" with the other? For the Thunder to win, both guys need to dominate. Durant shouldn’t take 40 shots a game, so naturally Westbrook is going to shoot alot too. Bot guys should be around 20 shots. Durant is better coming off screens, playing off the ball I think than he is in iso settings so it would make sense that Westy is going to have the ball in his hands a lot. 

Both guys need to be first options for OKC because they really don’t have a great third option or anyone else who can really create offense, beyond Kanter in doses. 

 

[Dazzling Dunks and Basketball BloopersParticipant]

 It just doesn’t seem like Durant and Westbrook can co-exist for the long term. Westbrook has outgrown his role as sidekick, much like Kobe did with the Lakers during the shaq years. No way Durant should take a step back and let Westbrook be the main option tho. He’s the most talented offensive player when healthy, and scores in a much more efficient way than Westbrook does. I agree that as great as Westbrook is playing right now, this style of do everything ball will not ultimately lead itself to team success. Plus I have questions as to how well Westbrook’s game will age as he begins to lose some of his natural gifts because so much of his game is just based on pure athleticism and energy. On the other hand, Durant’s game has always been based more on skill than athleticism so he should age well, ala Kobe or Dirk. If they have to choose to build around one or the other, Durant is the logical choice. 

Not sure where this would leave Westbrook. In a perfect world, I’d say they should maybe look to trade him within the next year, when his value is at its highest. They could then commit fully to building around Durant and look for assets to compliment his skill set. Of course, its always a huge risk to trade a superstar in his prime. There’s also the chance that Durant would leave in free agency too which makes it an even bigger risk to trade Westbrook. I just don’t if the two can continue to play together, and if it came down to one or the other, I’d choose Durant every time.

 

[hbomb3300Participant]

I’m not sure where people still get the idea that these two can’t co-exist.  You need more than one great player in the NBA to accomplish anything in the playoffs and Durant and Westbrook know that.  The two of them are very close so there is no issues in terms of chemistry.  Shaq and Kobe were complete opposites in personality and grew to hate each other, that’s why it didn’t work, not because Kobe didn’t want to be a sidekick.  

[Dazzling Dunks and Basketball BloopersParticipant]

 I’m not saying there’s any animosity between the two. Its just more about basketball fit and each maximizing their potential and the teams potential. You can absolutely win with two superstars, but they need to compliment each other and make the other player better, like Jordan and pippen did or lebron and wade during their championship runs. I don’t see this with Westbrook and Durant. Its more like they just take turns doing their thing when they are on the floor together. There are stretches of the game when Durant seems uninvolved, which is completely unacceptable for the best offensive player in the world right now. Perhaps a coaching change could help.

[hbomb3300Participant]

None of the combos you listed are great compliments…  they are just 2 great, top 5 players that equaled championships.  Wade and Lebron are practically the same style players, just different sizes.  Jordan and Pippen just dominated with peremiter defense and working the post… very simliar players, with Jordan being a much better offensive player of course.  Players that compliment each other well would be Pierce, Allen, and Garnett, or Stockton and Malone.  I would say Westbrook and Durant actually compliment each other better than either of your examples since Durant is mainly an outside shooter, Westbrook is a driver, and they have a very effective pick and roll together.   

[hbomb3300Participant]

None of the combos you listed are great compliments…  they are just 2 great, top 5 players that equaled championships.  Wade and Lebron are practically the same style players, just different sizes.  Jordan and Pippen just dominated with peremiter defense and working the post… very simliar players, with Jordan being a much better offensive player of course.  Players that compliment each other well would be Pierce, Allen, and Garnett, or Stockton and Malone.  I would say Westbrook and Durant actually compliment each other better than either of your examples since Durant is mainly an outside shooter, Westbrook is a driver, and they have a very effective pick and roll together.   

[Dazzling Dunks and Basketball BloopersParticipant]

 I’m not saying there’s any animosity between the two. Its just more about basketball fit and each maximizing their potential and the teams potential. You can absolutely win with two superstars, but they need to compliment each other and make the other player better, like Jordan and pippen did or lebron and wade during their championship runs. I don’t see this with Westbrook and Durant. Its more like they just take turns doing their thing when they are on the floor together. There are stretches of the game when Durant seems uninvolved, which is completely unacceptable for the best offensive player in the world right now. Perhaps a coaching change could help.

[hbomb3300Participant]

I’m not sure where people still get the idea that these two can’t co-exist.  You need more than one great player in the NBA to accomplish anything in the playoffs and Durant and Westbrook know that.  The two of them are very close so there is no issues in terms of chemistry.  Shaq and Kobe were complete opposites in personality and grew to hate each other, that’s why it didn’t work, not because Kobe didn’t want to be a sidekick.  

[Dazzling Dunks and Basketball BloopersParticipant]

 It just doesn’t seem like Durant and Westbrook can co-exist for the long term. Westbrook has outgrown his role as sidekick, much like Kobe did with the Lakers during the shaq years. No way Durant should take a step back and let Westbrook be the main option tho. He’s the most talented offensive player when healthy, and scores in a much more efficient way than Westbrook does. I agree that as great as Westbrook is playing right now, this style of do everything ball will not ultimately lead itself to team success. Plus I have questions as to how well Westbrook’s game will age as he begins to lose some of his natural gifts because so much of his game is just based on pure athleticism and energy. On the other hand, Durant’s game has always been based more on skill than athleticism so he should age well, ala Kobe or Dirk. If they have to choose to build around one or the other, Durant is the logical choice. 

Not sure where this would leave Westbrook. In a perfect world, I’d say they should maybe look to trade him within the next year, when his value is at its highest. They could then commit fully to building around Durant and look for assets to compliment his skill set. Of course, its always a huge risk to trade a superstar in his prime. There’s also the chance that Durant would leave in free agency too which makes it an even bigger risk to trade Westbrook. I just don’t if the two can continue to play together, and if it came down to one or the other, I’d choose Durant every time.

 

[negguaryParticipant]

This is the type of talk that I hate! Yes westbrook is a great player, Top ten at worst! But people stop playing! This is Kevin Durant the same player that went to the finals with Rusty as the starting point guard! This is last years MVP! This is a player that even still this year is shooting over 50 percent! This is the same player that was arguably the best player in the league next to Lebron. Now he doesn’t fit? If what you say is so true why are they still fighting for an eighth seed? Yes Westbrook is a great player individually but Westbrook isn’t a player that you build a team around to win a chip….he had to score 49 points and a triple double to beat the sixers in overtime last night . And this is a over the top sixers fan talking BY THE WAY.

[negguaryParticipant]

This is the type of talk that I hate! Yes westbrook is a great player, Top ten at worst! But people stop playing! This is Kevin Durant the same player that went to the finals with Rusty as the starting point guard! This is last years MVP! This is a player that even still this year is shooting over 50 percent! This is the same player that was arguably the best player in the league next to Lebron. Now he doesn’t fit? If what you say is so true why are they still fighting for an eighth seed? Yes Westbrook is a great player individually but Westbrook isn’t a player that you build a team around to win a chip….he had to score 49 points and a triple double to beat the sixers in overtime last night . And this is a over the top sixers fan talking BY THE WAY.

[juves4783Participant]

delusion alert!!!!

let’s be real for a little bit.  since durant got hurt again, the team is 4-2 when westbrook plays (not counting the lakers game that he sat out).  let’s dig a little deeper.  the teams they beat..charlotte, denver, indy and philly.  the teams they lost to….phoenix, portland.  now, this is a pretty small sample size but there is a major discrepency between those teams.

so to answer your question, yes…absolutely durant is still a fit.  just because westbrook’s stats are off the charts, the team still isn’t beating top teams.  durant only holds back westbrook’s stats, not his ability to beat playoff contending teams.

 

 

[juves4783Participant]

delusion alert!!!!

let’s be real for a little bit.  since durant got hurt again, the team is 4-2 when westbrook plays (not counting the lakers game that he sat out).  let’s dig a little deeper.  the teams they beat..charlotte, denver, indy and philly.  the teams they lost to….phoenix, portland.  now, this is a pretty small sample size but there is a major discrepency between those teams.

so to answer your question, yes…absolutely durant is still a fit.  just because westbrook’s stats are off the charts, the team still isn’t beating top teams.  durant only holds back westbrook’s stats, not his ability to beat playoff contending teams.

 

 

[lalailaParticipant]

 first of all, even if  Westbrook’s game doesn’t look like winning ball style..with him as a point guard they went to the Finals and twice to conference finals in three of the last four years (the other year he was hurt and as good as Durant was they couldn’t get by semi’s) show me other of those elite PG’s who won that much lately… Plus last year’s 40point game in Playoffs, key plays game winnign steals and shots and ect.. he is a warrior and he is a winner on a court even if his game doesn’t sound for "past first point guards wins games” phrase.. So Durant still need him to win especially when he is as good as ever, FACT.

 

secondly, not to take away anything from Durantula, this is a player who avg around 32ppg 7.5rpg 5.5apg on what of the most individually dominating MVP reg-season performance just a year ago.. this is a guy who gets around 26/7/5 with something like 50% fg 40% 3pt on his basically OFF year. It really doesn’t matter who his teammates are he will be THE scorer of the team and the of the best of the bests, and it’s already been seen if not injuries (Westbrook in 2013, Ibaka for 2 maybe key games against Spurs last year) those guys plays well and WINS together. 

and lastly and MOST importantly this discussion should end because it shouldn’t had started at all..what trades? who being unhappy? it’s been said hundreds times by Durant himself.. he wants Westbrook as his point guard….they want to play together… Durant himself thinks Westbrook is better than people thinks.. Westbrook has been better and better creating for Kevin and others.. they can win it..

it’s s weird, your great 2nd option starts to play like a great 1st option and suddently you start to think hey I better trade him?? lol  No  you better be happy both guys plays carrer seasons one after another and jsut hope they both become healthy to get it done.

 

 

 

 

[lalailaParticipant]

 first of all, even if  Westbrook’s game doesn’t look like winning ball style..with him as a point guard they went to the Finals and twice to conference finals in three of the last four years (the other year he was hurt and as good as Durant was they couldn’t get by semi’s) show me other of those elite PG’s who won that much lately… Plus last year’s 40point game in Playoffs, key plays game winnign steals and shots and ect.. he is a warrior and he is a winner on a court even if his game doesn’t sound for "past first point guards wins games” phrase.. So Durant still need him to win especially when he is as good as ever, FACT.

 

secondly, not to take away anything from Durantula, this is a player who avg around 32ppg 7.5rpg 5.5apg on what of the most individually dominating MVP reg-season performance just a year ago.. this is a guy who gets around 26/7/5 with something like 50% fg 40% 3pt on his basically OFF year. It really doesn’t matter who his teammates are he will be THE scorer of the team and the of the best of the bests, and it’s already been seen if not injuries (Westbrook in 2013, Ibaka for 2 maybe key games against Spurs last year) those guys plays well and WINS together. 

and lastly and MOST importantly this discussion should end because it shouldn’t had started at all..what trades? who being unhappy? it’s been said hundreds times by Durant himself.. he wants Westbrook as his point guard….they want to play together… Durant himself thinks Westbrook is better than people thinks.. Westbrook has been better and better creating for Kevin and others.. they can win it..

it’s s weird, your great 2nd option starts to play like a great 1st option and suddently you start to think hey I better trade him?? lol  No  you better be happy both guys plays carrer seasons one after another and jsut hope they both become healthy to get it done.

 

 

 

 

[Meditated StatesParticipant]

 But he is a jacker. Durant needs it at crunch yet RW usually has the ball. Durant needs to be on a team where number 2 knows he is number 2. I enjoy watching Russell play but its not winning ball. Celtics need to ante up and spend the boat on KD. Let people keep sipping that 13-38 ,45points cool aid

[Meditated StatesParticipant]

 But he is a jacker. Durant needs it at crunch yet RW usually has the ball. Durant needs to be on a team where number 2 knows he is number 2. I enjoy watching Russell play but its not winning ball. Celtics need to ante up and spend the boat on KD. Let people keep sipping that 13-38 ,45points cool aid

[mgreener_34Participant]

 It’s posts like these which make me disgusted with Scott Brooks and his iso-centric offense. Why does it matter who takes more shots if the shots they are taking have been good percentage? If the Thunder ran an offense similar to the Hawks or even watered that down and ran an offense similar to the Clippers or Suns than the Thunder would be my favorite to win it all. They have the most effiecient player in the game in Durant, the most leathal driver to the basket in Westbrook, a great midrange shooter in Ibaka, good low post scorers in McGary and Kanter, and a bunch of solid 3pnt shooters. How can you not make a formidable offense around that? it’s just baffling. 

The pick and roll with Westbrook and Durant could have been this centuries Stockton to Malone, but the Thunder just don’t run it enough. Look how effective Dirk is with JJ Barrea and Devin Harris. The pg runs to pnr, Dirk fades in or out, and the defense doesn’t know what to do which most of the time equates to a huge mismatch or an open shot for a shooter as the defense collapses. You never see the Thunder run these type of plays, and like mentioned in a prvious thread it leaves the Thunder role players just standing back and watching the play instead of contributing. This is the cause of the you shoot I shoot mentality between Durant and Westbrook.

It also doesn’t help that the Thunder start players like Roberson who have no business seeing the starting minutes for an NBA team. Honestly, I do think Brooks should get fired this year for causing this kind of situation, and should hire an offensive minded coach. Hell even Mike D could work wonders with this roster that Brooks is to timid to try

[mgreener_34Participant]

 It’s posts like these which make me disgusted with Scott Brooks and his iso-centric offense. Why does it matter who takes more shots if the shots they are taking have been good percentage? If the Thunder ran an offense similar to the Hawks or even watered that down and ran an offense similar to the Clippers or Suns than the Thunder would be my favorite to win it all. They have the most effiecient player in the game in Durant, the most leathal driver to the basket in Westbrook, a great midrange shooter in Ibaka, good low post scorers in McGary and Kanter, and a bunch of solid 3pnt shooters. How can you not make a formidable offense around that? it’s just baffling. 

The pick and roll with Westbrook and Durant could have been this centuries Stockton to Malone, but the Thunder just don’t run it enough. Look how effective Dirk is with JJ Barrea and Devin Harris. The pg runs to pnr, Dirk fades in or out, and the defense doesn’t know what to do which most of the time equates to a huge mismatch or an open shot for a shooter as the defense collapses. You never see the Thunder run these type of plays, and like mentioned in a prvious thread it leaves the Thunder role players just standing back and watching the play instead of contributing. This is the cause of the you shoot I shoot mentality between Durant and Westbrook.

It also doesn’t help that the Thunder start players like Roberson who have no business seeing the starting minutes for an NBA team. Honestly, I do think Brooks should get fired this year for causing this kind of situation, and should hire an offensive minded coach. Hell even Mike D could work wonders with this roster that Brooks is to timid to try

[Mad MaxParticipant]

Roberson has to have some embarrassing photos of Brooks.

[Mad MaxParticipant]

Roberson has to have some embarrassing photos of Brooks.

[adumParticipant]

Scotty B loves offensively limited 2 guards in his rotation.
Andre is almost a mirror image of Thabo( young Thabo ).
They need a 3-D 2guard like a Danny green if Middleton.

My opnion

[adumParticipant]

Scotty B loves offensively limited 2 guards in his rotation.
Andre is almost a mirror image of Thabo( young Thabo ).
They need a 3-D 2guard like a Danny green if Middleton.

My opnion

[tuck243Participant]

It happens every year…  Someone gets injured or have a down year and people have posts like this.  

Don’t trash Westbrook because this guy thinks KD is better.   Westbrook is having an MVP season and quickly becoming one of the best players in the NBA.  He’s not better than KD.   

I’m so sick of some of you.   This "what have you done for me lately" mindset shows how little you know.  STOP IT…  Players have paid their dues…  KD have shown you what he’s capable of, year in and year out, & now he’s not a good fit?  

  

[tuck243Participant]

It happens every year…  Someone gets injured or have a down year and people have posts like this.  

Don’t trash Westbrook because this guy thinks KD is better.   Westbrook is having an MVP season and quickly becoming one of the best players in the NBA.  He’s not better than KD.   

I’m so sick of some of you.   This "what have you done for me lately" mindset shows how little you know.  STOP IT…  Players have paid their dues…  KD have shown you what he’s capable of, year in and year out, & now he’s not a good fit?  

  

[jetlifitsuks2buParticipant]

 It’s clear to me that some of can’t be reading this post all the way through. But I alot are good post thanks.  

[jetlifitsuks2buParticipant]

 It’s clear to me that some of can’t be reading this post all the way through. But I alot are good post thanks.  

[BiggysmallsParticipant]

 Durant and Westbrook have gone to two conference finals, an NBA finals, and a first round exit in their first appearance back in the day. If people think they’d go further with only one of those guys, thats your perogative. They coexist just fine.  

[BiggysmallsParticipant]

 Durant and Westbrook have gone to two conference finals, an NBA finals, and a first round exit in their first appearance back in the day. If people think they’d go further with only one of those guys, thats your perogative. They coexist just fine.  

[Author]

Posts