Westbrook is like complete opposite of Harden, it's like inverse parallel worlds. He completely freezes his team mates out, also his pretty average pg other than Adams pick and roll, the only way they could beat teams if they lock them down, but with Roberson out they're doomed, PG will leave and they would not be able to afford him anyway. The only thing i'd care if they could play GSW in 1st round and make it bloody, but they might not even make playoffs, inb4 Presti was about to get GM of the year during off season.
Agreed, Harden is the most valuable player in the league, Westbrick is the most detrimental player to his team in the league.
Westbrook is playing at the same level as last season but because he is averaging one less rebound it ain’t the same. Last season he was up to the same antics. Ball hogging and so but no one cared because he was averaging a triple double.
Lakers post trade have won 5 straight, and look like a potential 8th seed, Utah has been doing very well and could be a playoff team winning 14 of last 16 only losing to Portland and Houston. New Orleans has somehow won 7 straight and is winning more games than expected without Cousins , this was the team I thought would drop out of the playoff picture. Realistically OKC can miss the playoffs and miss it by a lot. They only have 17 games left, 12 of which are against Playoff caliber opponents. Their last several games they have lost against quality opponents or barely beaten lotto teams. Their game against Houston is very important in even making the playoffs. Interested to see how the officiating changes over the next few weeks to usher them in.
Much earlier in the season, I thought OKC would not make the playoffs. They currently have 28 losses and 30 after they lose to us and the Spurs before this schedule kicks in. I think that will become apparent quickly. Nuggets got Millsap back, Wolves get Butler back, Utah will overtake them and PG13 is 100% going to bounce. I still cannot see Presti ever making another deal with us but this is another opt-in trade possibility if the primary fails. Even better than the LBJ scenario is that OKC is up for repeater tax and finding a way to dump Ryno to a 3rd team and providing cap relief and picks may be very appetizing. Much cheaper contract to match and KEEP Gordon and PG13 5 years younger and still perfect match. He, Harden, and Paul all friends as well. I was beyond pissed when we didn't get PG13.
Presti did well in a difficult situation when Durant decided to take leave. Oladipo was not going to explode in OKC anyway. They could be tanking without the decision to bring in PG and Melo. But what do we know. I dun think you form a team like in a video game and expect your big 3 to drop 30 every game and the role players to contribute 10-12 ppg. Chemistry is big. Sometimes it aint meant to be.
It's time for Westbrook to play 2nd fiddle and go somewhere else. If he wants the title. And while he is at it, should take a paycut. OKC isn't a big market from where you can draw star FAs every other year.
Durant is probably the most gifted offensive player in basketball, can score efficiently without the ball, and has a natural beta personality. Paul George has many of the same perfect supporting qualities. If Westbrook couldn't make it work with them, I'm not sure where he can. It would require an entire personality rewrite. He has too many Iverson qualities. He desperately wants to win, but only if the teams universe revolves around him.
He's never left OKC, so I dun know.....maybe a change of scenery will work small wonders. But yup, got the sentiment, he isn't going to change much at all.
Melo hasn't been very productive anyway, by far the worst of the Big Three. Might as well give PPat the start to please Carl Herrera if for nothing.
