Westbrook needs to become more of a play maker and creator, rather then just looking to score all the time. He is competing with KD for the role of num 1 option/go to guy. He needs to get this aim out of head and focus on being number the number 2 option and making this easier for his num 1 go to guy KD and rest of the team. But he is still young, he can rectify his mistakes and get better. Presti missed out on Deron Williams. Williams for Westbrook, Robsinson+ Mullens is a much better trade for the Jazz. Devin Harris is declining and Favours is unproven. They could have got better if they wanted.
They could still offer Westbrook for CP3 in a S&T, if it's allowed in the new CBA. Why would CP3 turn down the opportunity to play with Durant?
Presti was probably sick of seeing Sefolosha getting so much more playing time than Harden. Can't blame him.
Seriously. James Harden needs to have the damn ball in his hands a hell of a lot more than he does. Best pick and roll playmaker on the team.
Thunder should trade Westbrook for a true point guard, and get a new coach. Westbrook would be a great shooting guard -- one of the best in the Western Conference. In my mind, if the Thunder traded either Harden or Westbrook, they'd be better off. Maynor/Robinson Westbrook/Harden/Sefolosha/Cook Durant/Sefolosha Ibaka/Collison Perkins/Mohammed
Presti wouldn't trade WB straight up for D-Will if he had the chance. Obviously most of you guys haven't seen how rapidly WB has progressed in 3 seasons. You are basing too much on what happened in some of their playoff games, where WB's shot count obviously went up too much. But without WB taking over on a semi-regular basis, OKC wouldn't have finished as the 4th seed in the West. The pressure of those playoff situations is something he needed to experience to get better and understand more about what he needs to do. After last season, I don't know exactly what WB's upside is, but I do know it is higher than what D-Will is now. Think about this: There is a reason the guy was 2nd-team all-NBA based on the regular season. Take this from someone who's watched the vast majority of games he's played in his 3 seasons: WB could very well be an MVP candidate next season or thereafter. He works incredibly hard off the court and has come back a significantly better player the last two years. I hate to used the tired term, "sky is the limit", but WB is one of those guys where it really applies. knote32, Harden's role next season will grow. The expectation is he will move into the starting lineup and replace Thabo. At a minimum, Thabo would continue starting but his minutes would go way down as Harden will become a 30+ mins/game player. Johndoe804, you overestimate Maynor. He's a GREAT backup PG but he ain't starter material on a contender, unless maybe it's Miami. The only radical move the Thunder should make is replacing Scott Brooks if he can't dramatically improve their offensive sets beyond basic playground. Especially end-of-game sets. Coaching is the main thing holding the Thunder back.
That's why they should trade him or Harden for a true point guard. Either of those guys packaged with one or more of their younger players could net a very good point guard.
The Thunder made it to the Westeren Conference Finals. That means their in the top 4 teams in the league. They are doing just fine. Keep'em together.
They did this with the youngest (or 2nd youngest) playing rotation in the NBA. Thank you for the common sense. Everybody in their rotation should be better next year except for Nick Collison and Thabo (if he still gets much time). Why do they have to have a "true point guard" as you define it? Breaking up the roster now is the dumbest thing Presti could possibly do. Since they will be on national TV more next season (assuming there is one), hopefully people will get to know their team better.
When was the last time a team with a "true" point guard won the Championship? ..Ok it was last year with J. Kidd and the Mavs. But look at the previous years. Having a "true point guard" doesn't necessarily make you a better team. Rather, having talent makes you a contender.
Start Harden at 1, Westbrook at 2. Saw glimpses of it in the Playoffs, would definitely try it for a few weeks.
They could use a pass first setup guy to get Durant, who shoots well and moves well without the ball, and Westbrook/Harden open shots or well-executed drives to the basket. A better offense would play to their player's strengths. Not anything against Westbrook. It's just that I think he could be an even better player if he played a different role.
perkins is right. shouldn't say things like that but he is right. westbrook is a great player but you can't win with your pg taking 30 shots when he is not even the best player on the team. but this kid is talented and i belive he'll be much improves next season whatever that means
The main problem with OKC's crunch time offense is Scott Brooks, not WB. If you noticed in the playoffs, their only play was to have WB bring the ball up and then do whatever possible to get the ball to KD. After the shot clock burns down to 10 seconds and KD still doesn't have the ball, you need a PG like WB to make a play. What eventually developed in the playoffs is Brooks FINALLY let Harden take shots and create with the game on the line. Prior to that, even when Harden would torch teams, Brooks always forced the KD#1, WB#2 pecking order at the end of games. It was very frustrating to watch during the season. Harden would only get late game shots as a last resort (and did quite well with them IIRC). Brooks needs to implement offensive sets OKC can use when teams lock down and decide to double up on KD. The lack of creativity is a joke. Remember, WB took 30 shots exactly one time last season and nobody will let him live it down. He knows he blew it.
