“People are just not going to guard Russell Westbrook in the Playoffs”

Draymond green is worse shooter than westbrook...kerr still plays him a lot in po...

 

cool. free points

 

They did the same shiit when we brought in Cp3.

I hope we make 'em eat crow again!

 

Lol you can't just not guard a guy like Westbrook. In the 2019 playoffs, here's how his 3pt% compares to other shooters:

• Russell Westbrook (32.4%)
• D'Angelo Russell (32.4%)
• Paul George (31.9%)
• Kyrie Irving (31.0%)
• Danilo Gallinari (30.2%)
• Brook Lopez (29.3%)
• Chris Paul (27.0%)
• Donovan Mitchell (25.6%)
• Eric Bledsoe (23.6%)

Westbrook is not the best 3pt shooter in the league, but he can hit the shot at a respectable enough rate that "just not guarding him" would fail. In the 2018 playoffs, he shot 36% in 7 attempts per game. He's shot poorly in some past playoffs, but imagine how open some of Russell's 3's will be playing next to floor spacers like Gordon, Tucker, and Harden (he's never played with a play maker like prime Harden).

Now I'm not saying Westbrook is efficient by any means, but "just not guarding him" wouldn't work imo.

 

Wouldnt that be awesome to not guard a player that can give you 23 ppg in the playoffs! Sadly coaches in the NBA are not as stupid as this guy. Their assumption is based on the fact that D'Antoni strategy is 3-point shooting heavy. But they won't factor-in Russ's athleticism, defense, rebounding, and assist abilities. Not to mention much-needed inside scoring/layups which will further open up spot-up 3 point shooters in Gordon, Harden, tucker, Green, House etc. He is a clear upgrade over CP3!

 

Draymond Green is probably the best defender in the NBA. If WB would be close to the defender Draymond is, I think a lot of us would be willing to live with his other inneficiencies and would not be as concerned about this trade.

 

I agree but why so literal?
there are other bb qualities conducive to winning other than defense at which russ excells

 

LOCK THE THREAD

 

Ouch. Now you are just being mean.

 

I was an austin rivers hater and now im coming around. It helps his daddy isnt in charge of his playing time.
Same with cp3 although many liked him.

I predict quite a few will hate bev after this season after he goes after our team.

You cheer the jersey and all the sudden westbrook aint so bad.

The only player I can think of that would really question my ability to root for them would be derek fisher. I just cant.

You feel strongly about westbrook and good for you on that.
I STILL hate the texans for choosing mario williams due to signability and since then have a pretty strong disdain for them.

You are a devoted westbrook hater.

good let the hate flow through.

 

It’s a good example of which posters don’t rely on logic to come to their conclusions, and therefor aren’t worth arguing with.

 

that's it? only westbrook?

real champions won't guard westbrook and harden.

 

The Beauty of the NBA offseason.

 

they don't hate rus, they hate us.

if rus went to miami with butler they'd be calling them contenders.

 

The media 180 on Westbrook in full swing.

 

People love to hate what they don't understand......

 

Let's be honest. There are only two outcomes now that the trade is done.

1. Try to understand why the trade was made, what Westbrook's strengths are, and why it's a move that can benefits the team. The last two big stars that Morey acquired were both just past their primes (Howard and CP3), but both did enough to get the team to the WCF at least once. In CP3s case, it was one injury away from likely winning it all against the most talented team in NBA history.

2. Complain for the rest of the summer until season starts about why this trade is horrible and why the team will fail.

I get people are skeptical, but at the end of the day Morey is one of the best GMs in the league, and the only GM (besides the Spurs) that kept the Rockets competitive every single year whilst rebuilding, something practically never done.