Russel Westbrooks Greatness Will Be Decided

[GNG]

I agree mostly. Not is Russ' case though. He needs to show that he can lead a team past the point where their roster should be able to go. He has never done that. Not even this year, unless he can get OKC past Houston. OKC has never overachieved during the entire time Russ has been there. Remember, they won 2 more games than their Vegas projection. That is insignificant, IMO.

Call me a homer if you want, but if I am starting a franchise I will take John Wall over Russ any day. They are both highly explosive athletes. The difference is that Russ expends energy to produce stats while Wall does more little things to help his team win (like defense, earlying the ball up in non assist situations, etc.)

I'd take Russ over Wall without hesitation.

 

[tlance]

I'd take Russ over Wall without hesitation.

Most would.

But, I believe Wall does more to help his team win.

 

[trojanfan12]

I'd take Russ over Wall without hesitation.

I wouldn't. I love watching him play, but until he learns that he can't do it by himself, I wouldn't want him over Wall (among others).

 

[BallsOfFurry]

Most would.

But, I believe Wall does more to help his team win.

Wow, that is way out there. Wall isn't half the player RW is.
Wall is at best top 20.

 

[tlance]

Wow, that is way out there. Wall isn't half the player RW is.
Wall is at best top 20.

Their skills are actually very similar.

Wall is the closest thing to Russ as an athelte from the point guard position. He is a superior passer. Russ is the better shooter, but since he take s too many bad shots, Wall essentially ends up winning there too.

Russ is more talented, or better if you will, (not by a ton though). Wall makes better decisions and that is why he is more efficient, and therefor helps his team more.

By the way, he is easily top 15 and I think many would rate him top 10. He belongs somewhere in the group with PG13, Butler, KAT, Davis, Lillard, etc. just after the truly elite players.

 

[LogicMan]

Russ had a season for the ages. Right now, 2017 he is the second best player in the league. Give the man his due yall. he is one mean baller

 

[tlance]

Russ had a season for the ages. Right now, 2017 he is the second best player in the league. Give the man his due yall. he is one mean baller

Cmon man.

Kawhi and KD are definitely better players.

 

[GNG]

I wouldn't. I love watching him play, but until he learns that he can't do it by himself, I wouldn't want him over Wall (among others).

Wall has a better supporting cast in my opinion.

 

[GNG]

Cmon man.

Kawhi and KD are definitely better players.

Kawhi yes, KD no.

 

[tducey]

Westbrook's a great player who just had 1 of the better NBA seasons ever, that said he has to step it up a level if he wants the Thunder to advance past Round 1 in the playoffs.

 

[trojanfan12]

Wall has a better supporting cast in my opinion.

True.

But Westbrook was doing this when he was teamed up with KD. That tells me that it's not a supporting cast issue, it's a Westbrook issue. That's okay though, both MJ and Kobe had to learn the hard way that they couldn't do it by themselves. If Westbrook learns like they did, he'll be in some pretty good company.

And I'm not saying he's ball hogging to stuff his stats like some on here have suggested. I think he's doing exactly what he needs to do to for the Thunder to have a chance to win. Which makes for an interesting conundrum. How do we know if he's learned to share the ball if he's doing what they need him to do to win?

We likely won't know until he has a better supporting cast.

 

[GNG]

Westbrook's a great player who just had 1 of the better NBA seasons ever, that said he has to step it up a level if he wants the Thunder to advance past Round 1 in the playoffs.

He basically will need to carry that team on his shoulders.

 

[LogicMan]

Cmon man.

Kawhi and KD are definitely better players

KD no, never. Kawhi, maybe someday when he also can break Big O's record. For now its not even a debate

 

[Chocolatay]

Personally I don't really like KD. However I think his greatness is diminished on the warriors. When the warriors current dynasty is over then we have to see how KD does

 

[tlance]

KD no, never. Kawhi, maybe someday when he also can break Big O's record. For now its not even a debate

Can't have a real debate with fans who base everything on simple stats.

IT really is not close as far as who is the better all around player and contributes more to their team. Kawhi is better.

 

[Chocolatay]

Can't have a real debate with fans who base everything on simple stats.

IT really is not close as far as who is the better all around player and contributes more to their team. Kawhi is better.

Yeah, Kawhi is really dominant on defense and can play pretty good offense

 

[tlance]

Yeah, Kawhi is really dominant on defense and can play pretty good offense

Through the first 2 games of the playoffs, Leonard has 69 points on 28 field goal attempts.

Westbrook has 22 points on 23 attempts.

It is a small sample, but Kawhi is the model of efficiency. Russ not so much. That is before even talking about defense.