It looks like Shooter "taking" an opposing player riles up karma. Maybe he can do the Blazers a favor and "take" Cousins BEFORE tonight's game so we can get the benefit.
The Grqntlamd Basketball Hor podcast was glorious; the podcast came out yesterday but was recorded on the 23rd. They spent the first ten minutes talking about Westbrook's big opportunity to be the MVP and how his durability will help him out.
And that proves what? That Dame is a better player? That Westbrook is being punished by the Gods for totally showing Lillard up for one night? And what will you say if Westbrook comes back strong, and Lillard goes down with an injury? That Lillard is somehow better than Westbrook anyway?
I'm sure he can't. But I'm also pretty sure that Lillard didn't display even half the enthusiasm, energy, athleticism, and dominance that Westbrook did on the Blazer's opening night. It was quite a show.
OK. Westbrook is bigger, faster and stronger than Damian Lillard. He had a referee assisted 'dominant' one half game of basketball against the Blazers. Then he pooped out. In the meantime, Damian played clutch when he needed to, as usual, and came away with the 'W'. You are the same guy who couldn't be rational about Rasheed Wallace when he played for Portland. You didn't like aspects of his mental makeup. When it comes to playing cool under pressure, I'll keep Damian Lillard over Russell Westbrook, thank you very much.
You're joking, right? Westbrook was playing without the league's MVP and possibly the best player in the game--and trying to carry that team to victory. He put up 38 points. How much did you expect him to put up? 50? 60? Lillard, on the other hand, was playing with a full roster. And he couldn't even stay with Westbrook. Wasn't even in his same league. In fact, he looked totally lost out there in the first half. Yes, Lillard hit a couple of big threes late in the game, but the Blazers were getting contributions from lots of people at that point. Lillard did not make the difference at the end of the game, but Westbrook certainly made the difference through about three quarters. Look, I love Damian Lillard. I'm a huge fan of his game. I'm behind him all the way. But you have to admit he looked thoroughly outclassed by Westbrook for most of that game. It was actually kind of shocking to see.
Westbrook outplayed Damian by a big margin in the first half. I'll give you that. Westbrook is today (well, yesterday, before his injury) a better basketball athlete than Damian. I'll give you that. I do think Mental Makeup Matters. I don't like douchebags (ahem,russellwestbrook,ahem) on my favorite team. Many times clutch beats talent. Team work matters. For those reasons, I will happily keep Damian Lillard even if Westbrook were offered. (BTW: Nothing wrong with your OP or your take; good discussion.)
If Lilliard was playing without LaMarcus and Wes, then measuring Lilliard's numbers against Westbrook would be a fair comparison. Roles matter. Lillard was running a team. Westbrook was a team.
I don't know.. Westbrook did play a pretty damn good game... However he also had huge turnovers when he got put back in the 4th after resting. Can say he was tired... Can say he gave all he had.. But when it came down to it.. When it came time to win the game.... Westbrook had huge turnovers when he couldn't just get in the lane anymore. When the Blazers actually started playing pick and roll defense by stopping the ball... Westbrook didn't kick the ball to his teammates like he did in the first half. He tried to do it all himself and in turn.. turned the ball over and basically threw the game. While I agree that Lillard looked outclassed... He also didn't try to do "too much" and force things like Westbrook... He showed great maturity and mental fortitude in letting the game come to him.. Letting his teammates carry the load... He basically said "hey Westbrook is owning my shit and I'm not playing well... Not going to force things and I'm going to let my teammates carry the load tonight and I'll stay ready" Well he did and contributed by hit big shots to push the lead out. Similar to what Tony Parker did in the finals last year. He knew the Heat were gearing their defense to stop him and he had to trust his teammates and stay ready... Not comparing Tony parker to Lillard. Just using him as an example of maturity.
that moment where someone takes a stance on something, and can never let it go, no matter the facts.... but please, keep posting... your avatar is the only redeeming thing about your posts now.
As tough as it is to say, westchuck is viewed as superior by pretty much everyone except blazer fans. But we are all blazer fans so gtfo with this shit
Yep, half of this board is desperately trying to argue that Lillard is better than Westbrook, no matter what the "facts" said the other night.
I'm a huge Blazer fan. I've just never understood why being a fan means you can't tell the truth about one of your own players. Lillard is special, but he got taken to school in every which way by Russell Westbrook the other night. Big deal. It happened, and now it's over. Life goes on. Lillard will get better. The Blazers will win a lot of games this year. We'll all have a lot of fun. Life is good.
