CP3 vs Westbrook is a tough call. The current Wade isn't on Westbrooks level. However, the interesting thing about a Wade/Westbrook comparison is I'd say Westbrook's game is very similar to young D-Wade.
Top 10? Sure. But PGs that don't pass typically don't make it very far in the playoffs much less win a title.
The key will be OKC defending the Spurs. They have to cut off the passing lanes (especially the back door stuff) to stop layups and run through picks to prevent wide-open 3s. We'll take this up in detail later.
To me, durability/consistent has to be a huge factor. WB made a huge jump in his game this year, so I expect him to make some type of jump next year. CP3 has plateaued, and he is injured too much. He may not sit out, but it affects his games. At his BEST, CP3 is the best no doubt. But this Spurs series disappoints me. The spurs have no business stopping him, and yet he looks like a ghost out there. WB surpassed Rose. Rose went down a few notches in my books after that pathetic playoff run last year where he shot like 38% all playoffs. WB is a better defender/rebounder and now scorer. You can still give DRose the edge in playmaking, but WB is the better overall player now. A young Dwade was highly efficient. That's WB's next step: becoming a more efficient player. His fg% went up this year. Now his goal this offseason should be perfecting that midrange J that teams are giving him this year. He should shoot at least 47-48% easy with his abilities. A false myth. Billups/TP/Isiah/Kenny/Cassell all were PGs for teams that won championship(s). And OKC went to the conference finals last year. And they're on pace to go there again this year. I would say that's "very far." DRose and his team went to the ECF last year too. He has surpassed Wade. Watch for all-nba votes this year and you will see. Paul was a better player in the reg. season. But from this point forward, WB will surpass him simply b/c Paul won't be able to play the full reg. season + LONG playoffs (if his team advances very far) simply b/c he's fragile. Look how he's playing now a little hurt. He's a ghost. Rose, just stop. Durant and WB are 1a/1b on their teams. You are aware that Westbrook only average 0.5 less shots than Durant this year, with MORE playmaking right? But anyways, at least people aren't calling him Westbrick anymore. That's a good start.
if there is an OKC killer in the NBA its the spurs. They know how to nueter young teams. I don't have a problem with either of them winning though.
Who exactly in OKC's lineup besides Durant do you want him to pass the ball? Sefolosha? Perkins? Ibaka? Come on. Him and Durant have to score a ton for them to win games. He also averaged over 8 assists a game the two seasons prior to this one.
I'll slap you if you won't slap yourself. Down 11 with about 7 mins left, OKC starts playing defense and closes the game on a 22-6 run (plus 2 more for LA on a worthless Kobe basket at the buzzer). WB carried the team on his back and KD executed the Lakers at the end with an awesome dagger 3 as resulting from the worst TO of Pau's career. This loss was as bad as game 2 because OKC seemed so out of it.
I've really changed my outlook on him, uptill now I thought they should have traded him for a facilitator but he is the leader much of the time. Can't wait to watch the highlights.
Nope, he definitely isn't on Wade's level. I shouldn't have to explain why he isn't on Wade's level. Paul is also a better player. Just because Paul is struggling against a way better team in the Spurs doesn't make him a worse player. Yeah Westbrook is probably durable right now, but I'm not going to say he's a better player just because he's been luckier with his health. He definitely isn't fragile. Rose is still right up there with all the top PGs... there's nothing to "stop" about. Just because he had an injury-riddled season doesn't take away from the talent he is which was that he was the better player before this season. I personally take him because he works with less and gets it done.
Oh but you do. How is Wade better than Westbrook NOW. Both play with the top 2 players in this league in Lebron/Durant. One helps carry the load, while the other is a chump. Paul may be playing v. a better team, but he's not playing v. an elite defense. The Clippers are expected to lose, but CP3 isn't expected to be a ghost. You know how good Westbrook is right now? Brown came into this series wanting to put Kobe on Westbrook. After game 1, he scratched that notion. Then he adjusted with the pick and rolls in game 1/2 and tried to deny WB. And WB adjusted now and scored 37 points in game 4. That's how you know you're a great player. You force the opposing team to constantly adjust to you b/c you constantly have the answers. Derrick Rose had ONE great season. And injuries have everything to do with a player. Nobody in their damn minds would take Rose over WB now. And gets what done? Shoot 38% for the playoffs?
you don't pass the ball only if it directly results in a basket. you pass the ball to make plays, create opportunities, etc. Just compare WB to his very own teammate Harden, who makes lots of good plays. A lot of times, when WB has the ball, besides setting a pick, his teammates just stand around because they're thinking 'he's not gonna pass anyways'. You look at playmakers like Harden or Rondo though? Teammates are actively moving around trying to get an open look. And that's ultimately a lot more dangerous to a defense than just standing around. Today WB's jumper was on. What happens when its not? Then he's plainly the 'chucking' PG that everyone denounces him as. To be fair, he has played more in control this playoffs than last. But we'll see what happens when OKC goes up against the Spurs. Are they gonna collapse like they did against Mavs? Jury's still out. They might be a team with great talent, but I don't think they're a complete team - like the Mavs last season or Spurs this season. And more often than not, you need a complete team to win the title.
Well no, not right now. because Rose is hurt. No doubt in my mind though Rose is the better overall player, I think you forget just how good he is because he had a injury riddled season. Also one good season? Really? The 2011-12 season has been his only bad one and that is because of injury.
I said one GREAT season. Rose wasn't a great player before last year. He made his jump last year, same case with Westbrook. They were on parallel careers, but now one is injured. I don't see Rose catching up to WB now.
Oh I see, he should pass it to Sefolosha, or Perkins or Ibaka(three guys that struggle to score and aren't great passers or dribblers) so they can pass it back to him or Durant. Why can't you just accept with the makeup of the thunder's starting lineup that Durant and Westbrook have to take at least 15-20 shots a game, and score 20+ points each for the Thunder to win games? If he had a starting lineup with more than one other scoring threat, he'd be passing the ball more.
His other 2 seasons were just as great though. His first year in the NBA he became ROY. That's a great season. His second year he improved by a huge leap and made the All-star game his 2nd year. Catch up? A player who won MVP at 22 years old and led his team almost to 70 wins needs to catch up to Westbrook? It's fine if you prefer Westbrook over Rose, but to say anyone that would take Rose over Westbrook is out of their minds is taking it a bit too far. You make it seem like Rose isn't even on his level.
Post-injury, WB over Rose is a no-brainer because we don't have any idea what Rose will be like in 2013/14. Prior to this season, Rose was clearly the choice IMO. Based on this season before Rose blew up his knee, I think it can be argued either way. WB went to another level while Rose never got it going because of injuries.
I consider "great" as all-nba. Kyrie Irving won rookie of the year, and one of the best rookie campaigns we've seen, but he's not a great player. Rose has had just ONE great season so far in his career. And it seems you're misunderstanding my posts. I said anyone who takes Rose over WB NOW (considering the injuries that Rose sustained over the past year) would be insane. It's expected Rose won't play much next year (he'll miss most of it), and it'll take him another year to regain his "peak" level if he ever does at all. So yes, Rose will need to catch up to Westbrook when he does return to the court again. Rose was better than WB last year. WB's decision-making wasn't as good as it is this year. He closed the gap on that. But he does other things on the court better than Rose to compensate for that (rebounding/defending). But to start the year, I still gave Rose the edge. But after this year, even if Rose was playing, I think both would be on par. But now, it's all WB. It'll take Rose around 2 years to return to his elite level if he ever does.
