AI overachieved in getting a very mediocre squad to the Finals. The talk throughout his career was what #2 to pair with him. Those were not good rosters he was blessed with, but he also wasn't terribly easy to coexist with. That's the first I've ever heard of people thinking Kobe should have won more rings than he did. Other than the revisionist failure of the Malone/Payton addition, which people conveniently forget was a heavy favorite entering the playoffs, stalled largely by injury, what more was Kobe supposed to have won? He's one of the all-time greats by any measure. That's silly. Everyone knew coming into the season that it would be the Westbrook show, because he's the only legit option left. It's actually eerily similar to the last couple years of Kobe, with the Lakers saying "screw it" to team ball or even winning, going for the spectacle instead. Overstatement much? No one is saying Westbrook is one of the best ever, let alone THE best ever. I doubt even OKC fans go that far.
Pretty soon players will not want to play with him and OKC will than fall out of the playoffs. Just like Kobe in LA.
That kind of usg and shooting is not sustainable. That's what AI found out in Philly and that's what Kobe found out in LA. The Lakers didn't win shit after Shaq left, and they didn't change that until they added Pau. You simply can't win with one guard putting up 40 shots. The Rockets are finding that out as well.
So that all equates to saying its okay for him to be so inefficient? Overstate? I never said anyone else said it, but I do believe that If only He had learned team ball concept along side Durant, He could have put up numbers that would show him as the best ever. The numbers wouldn't change much from now, but his efficiency would. Through better decision making founded on a team ball concept and assist first, score second. That's all I'm saying.
I never defended his efficiency, or lack thereof. Westbrook's greatness is his relentless Alpha Dog mentality. It's also his weakness. You don't change that without changing the player. The best you can hope for is to harness the energy and channel it in a mostly positive direction. That's not the makings of one of the best players ever, no matter how much you want him to address his inefficiencies in that vein.
Orion Bailey said: ↑ So that all equates to saying its okay for him to be so inefficient? I never defended his efficiency, or lack thereof. I do believe that If only He had learned team ball concept along side Durant, He could have put up numbers that would show him as the best ever. Handiman said: Westbrook's greatness is his relentless Alpha Dog mentality. It's also his weakness. You don't change that without changing the player. The best you can hope for is to harness the energy and channel it in a mostly positive direction. That's not the makings of one of the best players ever, no matter how much you want him to address his inefficiencies in that vein. Orion Bailey said: Fair enough. Still think he has everything it takes to be the greatest ever if he just learned when to take over and when not to. Guys like Jordan did it. Edit: Shit, I cant fix this...
Umm, @Orion Bailey , you do realize that quote of mine came from the caption contest #3 thread, right? Right??? Lol
The post you quoted is the definition of objective. It is loaded with verifiable facts (easily checked at basketball-reference.com if you think I'm making this shit up). The only thing that even borders on opinion is the closing statement: "He could very well set the new standard for inefficient, volume scoring." And if he continues to shoot like he is, that will become fact as well. BNM
Not sure why you find that sad. The numbers don't lie. They are what they are. And, you know damn well that if Dame missed 27 shots in a single game (he's never come close), even if we won in overtime, at home, against one of the worst, youngest teams in the league, multiple posters here would be bitching about his inefficiency. We heard it all last season - a season in which he never attempted more 28 FGs is a game, let alone missed 27 of 44. To me, what's sad, is criticizing our own player for being inefficient is considered fair game, but criticizing a MUCH less efficient player for a division rival is "fucking sad". So yeah, Westbrook's team won, in overtime, at home, against one of the worst teams in the league. But that's the exception, rather than the rule, when Westbrook attempts more than 30 field goals. As someone who was taught, and still believes, basketball is a team sport, I find Westbrook's selfish, hero ball style of play offensive. And I openly admit it. He is the antithesis of a team player. He loves to play hero ball, at the expense of his team. His career is FULL of examples of him freezing out his more efficient scoring teammates in the 4th quarter of close games. He has done it for YEARS in the playoffs, even though he had a much more efficient teammate. There is a reason OKC lost 15 games in which they led in the 4th quarter last season. His name is Russell Westbrook. There is a reason, OKC blew a 3-1 series lead over GSW in the Conference Finals. Again, Russell Westbrook. He tries to take over games, forces up ridiculously bad shots, gets stupid technicals and commits countless unforced turnovers. I don't blame KD one bit for wanting to get the hell out of OKC. I would have left too, if I was stuck wasting away the prime of my career with a ballhogging choke artist like Russell Westbrook. So yeah, not a fan. Why the fuck should I be? He doesn't play for my team. He plays for a division rival and I LOVE to see him fail. BNM
What's Oscar Robertson's record for triple doubles in a season? (Yes, I know he averaged one for a whole season, but that's consistent with not getting a single triple double in a game.) Cuz Westbrook's going to break it.
It wouldn't be surprising if Westbrook, Harden and Durant were 1, 2 and 3 in PER at the end of the season. (Curry and Davis most likely to block them.) That would be a bit wistful for Presti. Oh, and Reggie Jackson will probably put up big numbers for Detroit when he comes back, just to add to it.
As I didnt (and wouldn't) criticize either of them, it honestly makes no difference to me.... if people wanna get on Dame about some bs like that after dropping 50 n winning a game for us, they're fuckin sad as well. its more the lengths people will go to to try make a win into a negative. somehow. any... how. if that what helps you hate on him more, well, enjoy? and tbh, if he doesnt play for you team, ignores his more efficient teammates (whom i assume you want to fail as well?), shouldnt you be happy he does what he does? i dont really give a fuck about westbrook one way or another, but what i see is a 50pt triple double and a win. I agree his playstyle isnt team orientated, but then i wasnt really getting into a career retrospect...., but again, does anyone know the last time a 50pt triple double win happened? it's gotta be, if nothing else, a considerable and rare thing, love, hate or indifference aside.
RW is fascinating to watch in the "bad" Kobe form - just to see a gunner with no conscious going crazy. Kobe was lucky to have Phil Jackson to rein him in when he had great teammates next to him in Shaq/Pau. RW never had that when he played next to Durant.
What he's doing is just madness right now. I have a bad feeling that he's gonna burn out by January, but this is amazing.
