Meh, ff the point guards in the that list Magic and Paul did it with three less fga's in every season they did it in. Magic shot 53% and 52% in both seasons and Paul shot 49%. Turnovers between the three are relatively the same anywhere between 3.7-4.0 but in the seaon Paul achieved that stat line he actually had 11 apg, magic was 12+.. |||||ppg |fg% |fga |apg | rpg |spg |age Paul |22.8 |49 |16 |11 |5.2 |2.7 |23 WestB|23 |42 |19 |8.2 |5.3 |1.9 |24 Magic |21 |53 |15 |8.3 |8.3 |3.4 |22 Magic |23.7 |52 |16 |12.2 |6.2 |1.7 |27 Westbrook is outclassed when compared to these two point guards. Shoots more, shoots worse, less assists with the same number of turnovers. Age can't even be used as a factor because both of these other guys did more and did it better at a younger age.
This isn't just specific to Westbrook. It's an unfortunate trend on Clutchfans and it happens as a result of one or a combination of these reasons: -People on this site generally don't watch much basketball other than the Rockets. Apparently now they can't even watch Houston play either. -There are those who have an axe to grind or hidden agenda against a player. Thus, they will use every opportunity to disparage him. -Some posters will criticize other players and other gms to either directly or indirectly prop up players on the Rockets and/or highlight what they feel are the positive things being done by the management in Houston. -Then of course there's blind homerism as well.
^I don't see what any of those things have to do with Westbrook being worse than Harden. He's pretty great, though.
I expect the margin to get larger in the 2nd half of the season if Harden's knee isn't an issue. I think Harden, after starting off hot in the beginning of the season, cooled down and was trying to find how to adjust being the star of his team. He's finally done that now, and I think we know just what kind of player he can be leading this team.
I think next year is when we truly find out what Harden is made of. IMO, he's capable of taking another step after getting a full season's dose of being the main guy. For both Harden and the Rockets, a playoff series against a team that game plans on stopping him would be valuable. A negative way of looking at it is will Harden handle this year's success the right way. He had success as a 3rd wheel in OKC but his Rockets' role is very different. Will he relax some or vault into superstardom?
All of those reasons, I'm sure, are applicable to some of the posters here. But, Bob Voulgaris (google him if you've never heard of him) watches more NBA basketball then anyone on this site, he isn't a Rockets fan, and he's been beating the "Harden is better than Westbrook" drum since before the season started. Personally, I think both players are great and are at about the same level (even though they play the game very differently).
I thought it's very debatable now regarding who is the better player. In fact, from what I observed, seems like more and more people believe the Thunder traded the wrong player. The only thing that Westbrook has over Harden at this point is defense.
I've watched Harden play, but not much of Westbrook. As time goes on, how many of you believe Harden's game will still be good, if not as good, as his speed/athleticism declines? How many of you believe Westbrook's will? I guess I'm asking : whose game will stand the test of time? How much does each rely on athleticism?
He should have traded ibaka. Ibaka is good, but he isn't a superstar. Harden and Westbroook are comparable. I think Harden is a better offensive player, but if he doesn't get calls he can struggle. Westbrook does take bad shots, but when he is on his midrange game is money and he is to quick to guard.
Harden does not rely on athleticism. Westbrook is not as much of a knucklehead as I used to think. He is almost as explosive as a healthy rose.
