Since the start of 2020, Westbrook's stats have been really good as he's drastically cut down his 3-point attempts in favor of attacking the basket. After the Covington trade, this trend continued as the spacing increased, and he was averaging 30+ PPG on 57+ TS% over a stretch of a couple months. Arguably the best version of himself for his entire career. However, since the bubble started I have been a bit underwhelmed. Physically he looks fine, he's shooting the ball OK...but imo he's fallen back into old habits. He's settling for way way too many mid rangers. What happened back in February when he was relentlessly driving to the hoop and backing down defenders for layups and short floaters? Now I'm seeing him get in the post and then (unsuccessfully) attempt a fade away from 15+ feet away. I've also notice him rush to get down to the court to try an off balance, semi contested bankshot on many occasions like he's a 6'3'', erratic version of Tim Duncan. C'mon man. How is this remotely close to an efficient shot selection? Russ is great to have in the lineup when Harden isn't on the court. His box creation is great and when teams focus on him, he is great at setting up teammates. And while not a great defender, he's still the best athlete in the league imo, and a world class rebounder for a guard, which definitely has value in our small ball lineup. But we saw yesterday that McLemore, while terrible on defense, is arguably a more effective option with James on the court. He is a lights out shooter with a quick trigger, which actively punishes these annoying soft traps frequently used on Harden these days. So while I love the attacking and distributing version of Russ, I almost feel like there is a "quota" where he has to get his 20+ shots per game. Which is totally fine if he is attacking like he did back in the Spring, but this almost feels like a distant memory now and it feels like we might have to live with him taking a number of bad looks on a NIGHT in and NIGHT out basis.
Flaming hot take.... smh lol getting gassed because we beat a struggling lakers team playing without their only legit playmaker..... they didn’t even have Caruso. it’s been 3 fukkin games after 4 months off Jesus Christ chill out
We'll see what happens. Lets let him get in shape first. This happend at the beginning of the season too. Just let him ramp up a bit. Right now, no I'm not liking what I'm seeing but lets see him get his jumper back on track.
We beat a shorthanded and listing Lakers team. Do not let that and BMac stellar performance lull you to thinking that Russ should not start. He creates his own gravity and sets a relentless pace vs. opposing teams. Russ is integral to Rockets chances to successfully win it all. Harden cannot win it on his own, we have seen that show before. BMac is great when he is on fire and gives us 20. But rather Russ drop his regular 30 and fatigues opponents mentally/physically AND BMac drops 20 off the bench.
I dont know. If Harden had elite shooting he would probably be a champion right now. Harden routinely gets players open 3 pointers. Ben is the only one that has been able to knock down his wide open shots.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but did Steve Kerr start alongside MJ? Kerr is the most efficient 3P shooter in NBA history. BMac is a specialist and he should sub in when Russ sits, completely agree.
Well, Nobody was shooting the three like that in the 90's. Harden took Anderson and EG to the second round of the playoff one year. Harden has shown he can score for the whole team all he needs is someone to knock down wide open 3's when he gets doubled.
you do @Williamson a DISService in labeling his love for iHart as mere “affection” His is a true passion for the ages. More powerful and more lasting than the irrational attachment DD has for DMo even.
Lol... Ben is paid 2 million. You think you can get those dead eye shooters for 2 million every year?
Nobody was talking about salary's, I just said if Harden had elite shooting he would be a champion. Sh-----t with average shooting, he would be a champion by now. Imagine if Ariza shot like a normal person in 2018 Imagine if PJ and RoCo were shooting like regular people in the Bubble. Imagine if EG was shooting like a regular person. Imagine if Russ could shoot like a regular person from 3.
Ben was also getting abused on the other end by Kuzma and about everyone else he guards. I also don't think Russ is intentionally settling for mid range. Teams are packing the paint whenever he gets the ball
The switch D takes a toll on your legs, that is the only explanation. Good thing is Ben and Danuel are both 27. And guy like Jeff Green is refreshed after the break. Westbrook is a mad man in a good sense..... Normal person... good laugh. Ego is a fun spirit, jury is out if he is normal.
Bruh, c'mon, don't start on 2018... lord knows how many stars aligned to f*** us out of a title that year. We had all the necessary shooting. The basketball gods and Scott Foster, the basketball Satan, just unanimously decided against us for some reason. But yes, with legit shooting, Harden would have multiple titles by now. That is assuming he wouldn't be content with one (which honestly, he might be).
