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Inimical
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Hell no i'm not a Russel Westbrook fan. In fact I hated him. The downfall of the Lakers and the rise of the new generation of superstars was marked by Russel Westbrook and Kevin Durant. Back in 2011, a still effective Kobe and company lost to the Thunder 4-1. I still thought we could beat the kids after being swept by the eventual Champion Mavericks. Yet, years ago, when I saw Kevin play in his first year in the league i had never seen anyone like him. He was really lanky, a lot like Brandon Ingram. I was really impressed by Kevin. He won the MVP as I thought he would. But then somewhere along the line I heard MJ say something that i hadn't heard him say before, and about the other guy.
“The thing about him that very few basketball players have is his passion for the game. … Every time I play the game of basketball, when I stepped onto that floor, I always felt like there was someone there who never saw me play the game of basketball, and that motivated me every single night. This kid has the same passion. And you can’t give that. That’s a sense of respect for the game.”
This is Russel first year without Kevin the former MVP. If you dont think thats a shadow I don't know what is. If you dont think the man was the focus of every and all defenses i cant explain anything to you. He had to live up to a talent that was universally praised. I didnt know what to expect from the Veteran, yes hes a veteran, of 9 years.
2016 - 17 MPG FG% 3P% FT% PPG RPG APG
SEASON 34.6 42.5 34.3 84.5 31.6 10.7 10.4
CAREER STATS 34.1 43.3 31.3 82.3 22.7 6.2 7.9
He stepped it up. You can talk shit about his overall numbers. But you cant talk shit about what hes done this season. He has had one of the greatest seasons of all time. And Kobe had a word to say,
On if Westbrook reminds Kobe most of himself…
“In approach to the game: 100 percent. He’s aggressive and he’s unapologetic about it. At the same time, there are some other 2-guards around the league that have similar skills as far as shooting the long ball, post-up, mid-range. James Harden, Klay Thompson.”
Russel Westbrooks greatness will be decided by his first year on his own. And most especially, in the playoffs. Let the pressure build, and the cream rise to the top.
“The thing about him that very few basketball players have is his passion for the game. … Every time I play the game of basketball, when I stepped onto that floor, I always felt like there was someone there who never saw me play the game of basketball, and that motivated me every single night. This kid has the same passion. And you can’t give that. That’s a sense of respect for the game.”
This is Russel first year without Kevin the former MVP. If you dont think thats a shadow I don't know what is. If you dont think the man was the focus of every and all defenses i cant explain anything to you. He had to live up to a talent that was universally praised. I didnt know what to expect from the Veteran, yes hes a veteran, of 9 years.
2016 - 17 MPG FG% 3P% FT% PPG RPG APG
SEASON 34.6 42.5 34.3 84.5 31.6 10.7 10.4
CAREER STATS 34.1 43.3 31.3 82.3 22.7 6.2 7.9
He stepped it up. You can talk shit about his overall numbers. But you cant talk shit about what hes done this season. He has had one of the greatest seasons of all time. And Kobe had a word to say,
On if Westbrook reminds Kobe most of himself…
“In approach to the game: 100 percent. He’s aggressive and he’s unapologetic about it. At the same time, there are some other 2-guards around the league that have similar skills as far as shooting the long ball, post-up, mid-range. James Harden, Klay Thompson.”
Russel Westbrooks greatness will be decided by his first year on his own. And most especially, in the playoffs. Let the pressure build, and the cream rise to the top.
