[Mr. ChicagoParticipant]

Let me just preface this by saying when he was drafted I was never completely sold on Russell as a prospect or his transformation from a slasher/wing to a point guard in the NBA (talk about one of the hardest transitions in basketball).

But he has changed into one of the most dynamic players in basketball. I don’t care what you consider him, a point guard, combo guard guard, slasher, etc. He is a physical specimen who is only beginning to harness his strengths as a player.

Now, I am not saying he is the face of the franchise or anything like that, as obviously that is Kevin Durant. However, I now feel he is as intregal to their success as a franchise. They are forming a very formidable 1-2 punch. It has been interesting to see the team grow as a unit during the playoffs. My only hope is they can keep this team together, as they truly exemplify the "Team" atmosphere. They share the ball, they hit the open man, they play team defense, etc.

I will be a Bulls fan till the day i die, but I can also respect great basketball when i see it. (Just my two cents).

[aamir543Participant]

Him and Rose are the two most athletic Point Guards in NBA history, Westbrook has a very bright future, he just needs to improve his shot selection a tiny bit, then he’ll be even better, but what we’re seeing in OKC can’t be taken for granted.

[bedrock23Participant]

Agreed.

People hate on him way too much.

[RUDEBOY_Participant]

Some people say he needs to Tone it Down..But The Thunder only seem to be UnStoppable when he’s on Fast Mode..He’s a different kind of playmaker and teams havent adjusted yet to his unorthodox style of play..If you look at the previous series with the Lakers,Mavs,Spurs and the 1st game of the finals..It was Westbrook who spearheaded the comebacks and nobody on the other teams could stop….Last night in the 2nd half,he went into the lane as often and whenever he wanted and Miami didnt know if he was going to pass or penetrate…Chalmers was camping out behind the 3 point line on offense and constantly that allowed Westbrook to start a fastbreak,when Miami missed shots and the Heat players had to leave their man to try to stop him..I think Spoeltra should put Battier on Westbrook or bring in several guys like Cole and James Jones to foul him..I think for the Heat to win this series they need to stop Westbrook,stop him and you stop the Thunder…

Once again last night Spoeltra got out coached..In the Finals last season Carlise out coached him…This year Doc Rivers out coached him in the Boston series..It was Lebron who saved his a$$ and lead them to win the series…I still dont understand why he had 6’3 Wade guarding 6’10 Durant and Durant kept shooting over him…

[B-ball fanParticipant]

 Wade defended Durant when he switched onto him when the Thuner ran pin downs for Durant.  I agree that it didn’t work.  I think the Heat need to try just having James and Battier fight through the screen and only switching if Battier or James will end up on Durant.

[Andrew1984Participant]

I’m just really impressed with how much smarter and more mature he’s played this year than he did in the playoffs last year. Last year he looked insecure, jealous of Durant’s attention, made utterly bone-headed plays at critical times in games, and I really thought last year he was the reason they didn’t win an NBA title. I thought if he had played with an ounce of poise, they would’ve beat Dallas and then Miami last year.

I wondered over the off-season whether it was a character issue that would never change, or simply a learning process and a maturity issue that would change. I think he studied the film from last year and realized how much he hurt his team last year, and I think he proactively made changes to improve, and I really commend him for that. Even in his demeanor, you can just see how much wiser and more under control he is and how he’s corrected those downfalls. Kudos!

[PulseGlazerParticipant]

I want him to truly dedicate himself on the defensive end, but that’s all that really prevents him from being elite.

[Memphis MadnessParticipant]

Westbrook should be Westbrook, not whoever someone else wants him to be.  I actually think that they do have a good MJ/Pippen duo in OKC, but it is Durant and Harden.  Westbrook is more like an outrageous, incredible game changer.  An offensive version of what Dennis Rodman was for the old Bulls teams.  Rodman did his thing as a third guy and they were really successful.  The Bulls didn’t try to change Rodman and he really helped them.

I think there would be too much friction if the Thunder was just a Durant-Westbrook two man team.  BUT, I think it is a Big Four now along with Harden and Ibaka.  So it’s more of a team effort and will allow Westbrook to play his game.

He had a decent amount of assists I think so he is doing well.  I think he took some rushed shots but nothing extreme.  Heck, LeBron and Wade are still taking bad shots and they have been in the league for nearly a decade.  

I think they can play Westbrook off the ball more and let him create scoring opportunities that way.  Derek Fisher is a good backup point guard, but at some point I would like for them to get a team-oriented, pass-first backup guard who can handle and pass, and also play defense.  I know that is a lot to ask for in a bench guy but that would really help their team.  I am thinking that they need a Nate McMillan type player.

…  I agree that Westbrook is a very athletic point guard similar to only Derrick Rose.  But, I think that Westbrook is more powerful and built better.  Based on that I think that Westbrook actually has a chance to be as good as Rose. 

One thing I saw Westbrook try to do last night was get to the line.  Something Wade has made a career of doing.  That really helps the team since, if their offense gets stagnant, Westbrook usually has to be the guy that bails them out.  The Thunder’s offense can improve on being more well-rounded which will improve when KD gets a low post game, Ibaka becomes a better scorer, and Westbrook gets better at picking his spots.  Maybe they get another outside shooter off the bench too.  But, I think that the Thunder are a lot better than they were last year and they are improving every game.  That should frighten the rest of the league.

[FastAndFuriousParticipant]

 D-Wade said he is the most athletic player in the NBA…..

[cabbycabParticipant]

Absolutely agree with OP in that Westbrook has blown away all expectations coming out of UCLA.  In college he was essentially a smaller version of Latrell Sprewell.  Now he is considered one of the best pgs in the game. 

However, his decision making sometimes still baffles me.  Durant can get hot and hit three in a row, and the next possesion he will just ignore him ( although he is calling for the ball ) and take it himself.  Stuff like that still bothers me, but all in time.

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