That's what I'm worried about. Dame gets burned out. He came down to earth a bit after his post-All-Star game tear.
Absolutely, and agree 100%. I also love to see his teammates get pissed at playing with such a selfish teammate and flee like rats leaving a sinking ship. That entire organization rubs me the wrong way, and not just because they are a division rival. I hate the way the lying owners stole the team from Seattle and I hate Westbrook's selfish brand of me first hero ball. So yes, as much as I hate Westrook's style, I love the results. His game last night, to me, was much more impressive than his 50 point triple double. There are probably a dozen PGs in the league right now that could score 50 on any given night, if they jacked up 44 shots. He was much more efficient last night, getting 33 points on 11-21 FGA with 16 assists. He still had 7 TOVs, but you can get away with playing loose with the ball against these current Lakers. OKC has had a ridiculously easy schedule so far. It almost feels like a consolation prize from the NBA for losing Durant. They've played the three youngest, three worst teams in the league. Last night on NBA Game Time, they were going on and on about how the most impressive thing about Westbrook's play is OKC's 3-0 record. Really??? Have they not been paying attention to who they've been playing. They struggled to beat PHI and then had to go into OT at home to beat PHO. Last night's 17-point home win over the Lakers is the only think they have that comes close to an "impressive" win, but come on, it's not like that Lakers are any good. Westbrook's ball hogging hero ball may work against these young, truly bad, teams, but until OKC plays, and beats a halfway decent team, I'm not impressed. BNM
I think it's more likely, his teammates get tired of his ball hogging, hero ball style. Sure, they are winning now, and winning fixes most locker room problems, but wait until they start playing some real teams and losing games. A lot of his teammates are in contract years. They saw how much money FAs got this past summer. Once the team starts losing, I doubt if those guys are going to be happy getting 5 FGA/G while Westbrook is jacking up 30+. BNM
Watch how his style of play changes in the 4th quarter. For years, he completely froze out Durant in the 4th quarter of close playoff games. That's the definition of hero ball, trying to do it all himself when the game is on the line. He completely dominates the ball, all game long, it's always in his hands. OKC doesn't have a secondary ballhandler. Every play runs through Westbrook. So, he racks up assists for the first three quarters, and then forces up bad shots, commits a shit load of TOVs and costs his team the game in the 4th quarter. OKC blew 15 4th quarter leads last season. This is a team that had Kevin Fucking Durant. How does a team with such an unguardable player blow 15 4th quarter leads? Russel "Hero Ball" Westbrook, that's how. I'm speaking historically. This season is only 3 games old, and as I mentioned, he played much more efficiently and under control last night. In the blowout win, he didn't feel his usual impulse to revert to hero ball in the 4th quarter. If he played like that all the time, his team would win more games and I'd have to step down from my pulpit. BNM
I already stated my reasons. I believe basketball is a team sport and Westbrook is the antithesis of a team player. Why do people hate James Harden so much? They find his style of play aesthetically offensive. I feel the same way about Westbrook. BNM
Every year there seems to be a MLB player who flirts with .400 starting out the gate. How many are still there at the all star break? Just sayin... Burn out is a probability.
He has the balk the whole time. Lillard shares the ball with his team and there is balk movement. You can selfishly get a lot of assists if that's your goal. Look at Rondo. He gets assists but no one likes playing with him.
If Lillard gives CJ the ball to let him go one on one, Lillard is being unselfish but doesn't get an assist.
I'm still waiting to see the true greatness. I just see a basketball coming out of one players hand 40 times a game. I could do the same thing in my backyard with a makeshift hoop.
LeBron is greatness. He basically carried the Cavs for multiple years. Basically got them to the Finals all by himself. Westbrook is just another really good player, and extremely talented, but his attitude diminishes his overall greatness. They missed the playoffs the year that Durant was out, and I think they're going to struggle to make the 8th seed this year.
Agreed 100% on all of this. Westbrook is undoubtedly one of the most atheltic players right now... but that's what he'll be... he will never be "greatness". That's reserved for hall of famers or people who are already writing their hall of fame tickets (Nowitzki, Lebron to name a couple).
Pretty sure you couldn't. smh The guy is maniacal. He goes in 6th gear for 40 mpg. Dude is not the most skilled player, nor is he the smartest, but I'd argue that he plays harder than any other star in the league. And at his usage, that is madness.
You missed my obviousness. Also, greatness is being one of the most skilled, and usually the smarts too. So greatness should not be said with Westbrook. Maniacal, athletic, sure.
Can you imagine what LeBron could have done with Westbrook's supporting cast? LeBron + Durant + Harden + Ibaka + me = 10-peat!!!! BNM
And that's just it.... Russ never seemed to get it. LeBron went to Miami and was totally comfortable letting Wade or Bosh take over. The fact that Westbrook couldn't co-exist with Durant is a huge black mark in my opinion.
Yep, when it counted most, Westbrook was holding Durant back. I don't blame Durant one bit for getting the hell out of OKC. BNM
I think things aren't going to work out in Golden State though. I could see Klay Thompson wanting out. I think he wants to prove he can stand on his own. I imagine it has something to do with being Mychael Thompson's kid. Always in the shadow of his old man, and now he'll always be in the shadow of Curry or Durant. I think he'll want to go somewhere that he can be "The Man." They don't really need him. I think Curry/Durant/Green is a pretty damn good combo.
