Interesting thoughts, but I agree with Nik. I would do this deal in a heartbeat. Even when Marbury left KG he still had some pretty good success (until he went to the Knicks and went a little crazy).
Another comparison for Westbrook: Steve Francis. If I was give a choice of Rajon Rondo, Jrue Holliday or Westbrook, I'd pick him third. (And talking of third: if he isn't the third best OKC player already, Harden will pass him before the playoffs.)
You think Harden will become an All-NBA 2nd team calibre player before the playoffs? Damn, OKC is going to be unstoppable...
Yeah these people sound like they are exaggerating. What exactly is the difference between Westbrook and Rose? They're pretty much exactly the same player. http://bkref.com/tiny/gDPis
Westbrook is enticing, but I too have serious concerns he's the next Marbury or Francis. As a fan of unselfish team basketball I don't want us adding that type of player, especially so at PG. If all we have to give up is Felton and protected picks maybe you just have to do it. The upside of a all-nba second team player is worth the risk. Maybe he matures and accepts Nates coaching well. I think OKC asking price is going to be higher which wouldn't make any deal feasible.
I really, really like Harden's game. People were talking noise after Presti took him so high, but the dude is a baller.
Westbrook is far superior to Frances or Marbury on Defensive end. I would take him as well. The dude is a competitor.
No, of course not. Oh, were you saying Westbrook was? That's silly. (And I don't care if he was voted 2nd team, either. I remember when Latrell Sprewell was voted first team and it was even more ludicrous.)
That is indeed an intriguing idea. Boston would want an expiring deal, though, as they're shooting for cap space next year. If they blow it up I can see them just buying Allen out (and he would go to the Knicks, Dallas or possibly even the Clippers).
OKC isn't going to trade Westbrook to a division rival unless it is lopsided in their favor, and especially while he is still on his rookie contract. Why not trade for LeBron James as well?
The Blazers would probably have to give up Camby, which won't happen unless Oden miraculously returns and proves to be healthy, or Wallace. Matthews and filler could work as well, but I don't think Boston would do it.
If you had any talent or athletic ability I would give you a look. But my point is Westbrook plays with a lot of intensity. He just needs a coach who will let him know what a bad shot is. As long as he and Nate didn't kill each other, I think it would work.
Individual success (as in impressive stats), yes. Team success, no way. In the three years he was in New Jersey, they were one of the worst teams in the league and never came close to making the play-offs. His last year in New Jersey, the team was 26-56. A year later, with Jason Kidd, the Nets went 50-32 and made it all the way to the NBA finals. Meanwhile, Phoenix went from from a 51-31 playoff team to a 36-46 lottery team after the Marbury for Kidd trade. And, as hard as it may seem to believe, the Knicks, who were already pretty bad, got even worse after adding Marbury. BNM
Food for thought: (Adande suggests Westbrook for Curry. Sort of makes sense, but Curry is starting to look like he has chronic ankle problems.)
The problem is, he has a very strong tendency to compete with the players on his own team. He completely froze out Durant in the 4th quarter of several playoff games last season. There is a reason Batman drives the Batmobile and Robin sits in the passenger seat. Unless someone can convince Westbrook that the two-time reigning NBA scoring leader is the real Batman, OKC will never reach their full potential. I do think Westbrook could be "the man" on a mid-level playoff team, but when you're the point guard on a team with Kevin Durant, your 1st, 2nd and 3rd job should be to get him the fucking ball, not call your own number six times in a row in the 4th quarter of a playoff game with the game on the line. BNM
