Westbrook got some decent help. He's got a mountain center, Oladipo who is crazy athletic, and Robberson who is a long athletic defender.
As much as I like Capela, I would be more than happy to part ways with him for Steven Adams, maybe even include Harrell in the trade package as well. Steven Adams is a strong PnR player with great hands, can occasionally create his own shots, defends very well and rebounds well as well offensively and defensively. He was 8-8 to start the game in his last two games before playing the Rockets. He would easily be grabbing more than 10 rebounds a game if he wasn't playing next to Westbrook (which isn't a criticism on Westbrook by any means). He would probably be averaging 18-20 points playing with Harden, because he can catch lops, finish strong and make his FTs.
Harden has Gordon to thank for Harden's MVP talk. If it wasn't for his shooting off the bench we don't win this many games this year. When other teams have made a run he has been the stopper all year long to get us back on track offensively.
How many people thought the Rockets would be competing for a top two seed before the season started? You don't think Harden deserves a ton of that credit? Do you really believe the Rockets without Harden are any significant amount better than the Thunder without Westbrook?
Yeah, has nothing to do with the 28, 12, and 8 that Harden is averaging on 60% TS%, or being the league leader in win shares, and one of the top players in RPM... It's all cuz of Gordon getting hot every couple games. And that, too, has nothing to do with Harden opening up the floor for him whenever he's in the game. /TheMostBasicSarcasmBecauseIHaveNoIdeaHowElseToReplyToThatMess I mean you serious, brofa...? Seriously. You're not... right?
No flaming. The lead was lost when Harden was out. Front court was being manhandled. It wasn't pretty but Beard did what needed to be done. Westbrook played beautifully until the game mattered.
I'd argue that Gordon has Harden to thank for his revival. Gordon has been spectacular but a lot of his success is due to the floor spacing from Harden and D'antoni's system. Second best signing of the offseason.
The most important thing tonight. With the game on the line... Westbrook tried to go hero ball (you'd think the last game between these two teams would be in the back of his mind) Harden trusted his teammates to get the job done. Add another tally to the list of games Westbrook causes the Thunder to lose due to his play in winning time.
#3 is way way harder than #8. And OKC supporting cast looked better than rockets on paper. It's just harden and MDA maximized their potential. That's what MVP do.
I mean Westbrook is pretty freaking awesome. You can make the case for either of these players. It's going to be close.
Harden is mvp,Westbrook have amazing season,but Harden put similar number,he is more efficient then Westbrook. And okc isnt a crap team,tbh they have better team and banch then rockets.
Do you think I'm talking trash about Harden or something? Of course Harden has helped Gordon get open shots this year by a mile, but if Houston didn't have Gordon off the bench the Rockets would not have their record as they do now and Westbrook's triple-double would hold even more weight for MVP.
Did I say somewhere that James wasn't having an MVP-type season? I just stated that if a player averages a TRIPLE DOUBLE (has not been done since Oscar Robertson), then you have to strongly consider awarding them the MVP. No disrespect to James at all. And yes, the Rockets without Harden would be better than the Thunder without Westbrook. But either team would be lottery bound without their star player.
I'm always confused why people think OKC's supporting cast sucks. - Kanter/Adams is one of the best big man combos in the NBA - Oladipo is a very capable wing (though he's been hurt) - Roberson is one of the best defenders in the NBA - Donovan is probably an above average coach I mean...not an amazing lineup, but people act like Westbrook's carrying a bunch of scrubs. People underrated both the Rockets and the Thunder's supporting casts this offseason, but obviously Westbrook and Harden are the reasons they're in the playoffs.
Westbrick had no business of making 8 freakin' 3s in that game. Bev and Gordon played lazy defense, daring Westbrick to shoot. Barely contested at all, if any. Do they really think Westbrick is on the same level as Rubio? Idiots. Any team that lets Westbrick make eight 3s in a single game should be ashamed of themselves. It would be one thing if Russ had made all those 3s over his defenders, but that was not the case.
you actually think they just let him shoot? he made some tough 3's so be it. It's not lazy defense if there's things they want him to do while contesting. if you're guarding WB you want him to take those out of everything else he can do.
