Kind of funny they didn't give it to Westbrook. They must take obscure things like winning and FG% into account.
Lillard's Player of the Week numbers: 18 pts, 7 rebs, 5 ast vs. Spurs 29 pts, 5 ast, 3 rebs vs. OKC 31 pts, 7 ast, 4 rebs vs. Kings
Analytics FTW! So glad the guys who vote on these awards didn't get any dates in high school and take into account advanced stats like wins, losses and FG%. I wonder what Mark Jackson thinks of this. It makes his nut slobbering of Russell Westbrook look even more ridiculous. MVP my ass. The guy can't even win POW when he posts three straight triple-doubles. I guess missing 44 shots in two consecutive losses factored into the voting. BNM
That was my first thought. Especially since they gave a coach award to Scott Brooks. Actually, that's kind of a double diss to Westbrook - "any success your team has has is not because of you". Somebody must not like him.
"Wait, Wait, who cares that Damian Lillard got Player of the week! What about Russell Westbrook and the way he steps with his left foot?!"
It's interesting because, in terms of athleticism, Westbrook might be the most physically gifted player I've ever seen at that position. The only guy who I would say was better was Magic Johnson, but he was just a freak of nature who could have played all five positions. It's sad that Westbrook is such an ego maniac, and he might be one of the least clutch players I've ever seen. You can see his entire demeanor change when the game is on the line. When he stepped up to take those free throws that would have tied the game, there was zero confidence. He looked beaten. Dame is the polar opposite in pressure situations. He looks completely focused.
Agreed on both counts. In terms of athleticism, I've never seen a guy as explosive as Westbrook. And, on that same token, I've never seen a guy as explosive as Westbrook... if you catch my drift.
Most guys who are that horribly arrogant and egotistical are making up for a low self esteem, so it's really not that surprising that he would shrink like George Costanza in a cold pool.
I'm no Westbrook fan (in fact, now Kobe's broken down and irrelevant, he's a good candidate for my least favorite NBA player), but if you want to glorify single players above their teams, compare his stats for the past ten games with Damian's. (Yes, I know, it's the week, not the past ten games, and Damian's play has certainly picked up, but Westbrook's been putting up video game numbers). I wonder who's trying to send a message, and what is it?
Harden's a good candidate, too, especially without Howard. But he just kicked LeBron in the nuts, so that probably didn't help his case.