Westbrick Hurting the Thunder

On a side note, OKC as a whole made 36 shots last night. Westbrook made 10 of them. On the other 26, he assisted on half of them.

 

I hate the way Westbrook plays at times. But when you consider KD's struggles, average at best coaching, and the fact that after KD and Westbrook there is VERY little offense on that team... well, I give him at least a BIT of a pass.

I wouldn't be opposed to a straight Westbrook for Harden swap. Could be a win win for both teams. The Thunder have Reggie Jackson. The Rockets have... Troy Daniels?

Seriously, though, if the Rockets could get a Melo or a KLove player, I kind of prefer the Westbrook - Howard pairing with that 3rd guy.

But whatever... struggling superstars are struggling superstars. They all just need to shoot better. I saw Durant miss some bunnies, just as I saw Harden shoot an airball on a 3 footer earlier this series, and Westbrook has missed some easy ones as well.

It's defense, and a mental thing.

 

Not defending WB, but KD as the league MVP, and OKC as his team, he takes the biggest credit when they are winning, so he can't just shift the blame to WB when they are losing.

 

Playoffs are tough, Grizzlies, and especially Tony Allen are extremely tough. I agree that WB sometimes do make bone-headed plays, but his fighting spirit is just off chart. He could not lead the team to the finish line when KD is struggling, but to say he's hurting the team is just unfair.

 

If OKC offers WB for Harden right now, you take it and run. Despite WB's weaknesses (poor shot selection, overly aggressive on offense...), but you never doubt his effort, heart, and will. AND HE PLAYS DEFENSE!!

But OKC knew that. Hence whey they maxed him out.

But this series will serve as big lessons for Durant and WB. Hopefully they both come back stronger next year, even if they beat Memphis. Too many holes in their games still.

 

yep KD did miss his important FT's so it's on him.

 

People laughed at me when I said they should trade him for Kyle Lowry.

 

OKC can't beat memphis without westbrook, they can't beat Memphis with westbrook......so

 

Two words: Tony Allen

 

They are letting allen play physical with KD and he isn't doing well. I think Mem wins 4-1 with no RW.

 

We saw that last year

 

I wouldn't trade Harden for Westbrook... Even if James has his deficiencies now as a defender, you can always learn to play D as you progress in the league. However, Harden's offensive game is miles above Westbrook's. Plus three surgeries in the last year on his knee is a HUGE concern going forward.

 

wheres his offensive game in the playoffs?

 

You are aware Harden is facing one of the worse defensive teams in the league in the Blazers right? No excuse for him sucking as bad as he is, compounding that with zero defense.

WB (and Durant) is at least facing a top 2-3 defense.

 

WB has been the better player than Harden in the playoffs, which should say a lot.

 

And Westbrook?

 

I'd still take Harden over Westbrook, but maybe I'm just a shameless homer.

 

and how is that Westbrook's fault? It's on Durant then.

 

The play where he stripped Conley and dunked was pretty fantastic