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On May 19 2011 01:02 MilesTeg wrote:Show nested quote +
Huh? I did, and Pau's failures on offense had as much to do with his own slumping the "defense" Dirk was playing on him. Before this year the Mavs had been a pretty awful team defensively--the addition of Chandler shored up a lot of their holes in this regard, and it made Dirk's shortcomings as a defender less obvious, but they're still there...
Pau wasn't himself, but it's hard to argue Dirk wasn't playing good defense. Almost all of Pau's misses were tough, consisted shots. At this point, saying he's a defensive liability is just wrong. Besides Mavs have been pretty good defensively for a few years now, it's a misconception that they still haven't shaken off.
I guess I shouldn't say they need to hide him on defense, but he's certainly not a particularly good defender by any means. He's never been selected to an NBA all-defensive team (i.e. at no point in his career has he been considered one of the best four forwards in the league on defense).
His offensive prowess cannot be denied, but when it comes to being one of the greatest 20 players of all time, at least for me, there's a certain expectation of being a good (or at the very least above-average) defender. Even Larry Bird, who was hardly a great defender, made NBA all-defense three times.
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Being selected to an All-NBA team doesn't mean he isn't a good defender, especially when Garnett and Duncan are in the league.
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United States4471 Posts
The team does look good now, but I don't know for how much longer. Kidd is 38. Terry, Marion and Peja are 33. Dirk is 32. Caron and Haywood are 31. Toss in the fact that Chandler and Caron are not the most durable players. I'm not saying the team is going to break down after this season, but it's a pretty old roster and I think you have to expect declines are going to occur to some of these guys, all of whom are pretty important to their success. Hopefully, Beaubois and Brewer can continue to improve and help out, but who knows. This is clearly a team built to win now, and I mean right now.
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United States4471 Posts
On May 19 2011 02:09 Ace wrote:
Being selected to an All-NBA team doesn't mean he isn't a good defender, especially when Garnett and Duncan are in the league.
Yeah, I don't take the whole NBA All-Defensive team thing too seriously. All too often it's built on reputation and/or popularity. Kobe making 1st team this season is a perfect example of that. I'm a Lakers fan and think that Kobe is probably the most complete player in the league, but he was far from 1st team material this year.
However, I will agree that Dirk is not very good on defense. He's not bad anymore like he once was, but he's slightly above-average at best. However, as has been pointed out many times, it's all about team defense in the NBA since there are too many talented scorers in the league. Dirk seems to play pretty well within a defensive system, and putting up some good effort. His size/length gives him an advantage in this regard, as he doesn't have to jump particularly high or necessary match his opponent's energy to do a decent job of guarding them.
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On May 19 2011 02:21 XaI)CyRiC wrote:
The team does look good now, but I don't know for how much longer. Kidd is 38. Terry, Marion and Peja are 33. Dirk is 32. Caron and Haywood are 31. Toss in the fact that Chandler and Caron are not the most durable players. I'm not saying the team is going to break down after this season, but it's a pretty old roster and I think you have to expect declines are going to occur to some of these guys, all of whom are pretty important to their success. Hopefully, Beaubois and Brewer can continue to improve and help out, but who knows. This is clearly a team built to win now, and I mean right now.
They have to do it now. Its not only the team getting older but all the other young teams getting better.
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Well really, within 2 years that team is gonna have to be blown up and restarted from the draft and trades for young talent. Brewer Beaubois and Berea are not really the core for the next team. Same thing is gonna happen with the Spurs, though it wouldn't surprise me if they think that can still get another run in. Tough to say with a team that gets crushed in the first round, but still had the best record in the league in the regular season
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Actually, I've heard news that the league may allow for an amnesty clause (The Allan Houston rule) in the new CBA for the 2011-2012 season. If that is the case, I can see half a dozen teams fixing their rosters in 1-3 years instead of 3-5. Imagine Dallas waiving Brendan Haywood with not cap implications, that, along with Jet expiring, would make them a genuine contender for any free agent in the 2012 class
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On May 18 2011 17:26 blizzind wrote:Show nested quote +On May 18 2011 13:24 Ace wrote:
The phantom foul calls that Durant got were ridiculous though. The one when Jason Terry backed off of him and he flopped was just blatantly bad refereeing. That is one reason I don't like Durant. You can foul him by just breathing on him and then he gets pissed off when he actually gets called for a foul. He'll then go and whine for a flagrant on something totally standard. He doesn't have a squeaky clean image like most people think, not on the court at least. I also hate Westbrook. There's a Westbrook at each gym you go to or any pickup game you enter. They think they're the next MJ and they try to do everything themselves even when they're not even the best player on their team. He also whines a ton. I guess I'm just an okc hater. I do want them in the finals though because I think it would be a fun match up for the heat. Lebron and Wade vs Durant and Westbrook. Would be a sweet tag team match.
Yea, Durant, all he does is make up calls, and chase after refs on contact..Man, he like hunted those refs down, and this game was the decider between them getting a higher seed in the playoffs, taking that in context its even MORE ridiculous how little he complains, but yea, you're right.
and LOL @ Westbrook argument, Theres a Westbrook in each conference, this year it was Derrick Rose, and you all gave him an MVP. So either enjoy the fact that Westbrook knows he carries a third of the offense, or shut up, because im sick of hearing people place Westbrook on this evil pedestal for being the obvious 2nd best player on his team. If anyone remembers last year, people were still questioning if it was Jeff Green, now that he(Westbrook) steps into the position, people are mad again? Get over yourselves.
I'm happy you accept that you're just a blind hater. Next thing you know you'll be posting that OKC wont be shooting 80% from the free throw line consistently.
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I'm pretty sure that most people who dislike Westbrook's game don't particularly enjoy Rose's either. They aren't identical, Rose being better and less selfish, but they're both pretty ball dominating guards.
My favorite Westbrook cliche is the one where he'll run into the paint, realize he has no shot and throw it out to Kevin Durant with 3 seconds on the clock. Durant will clank the shot and get mad at himself for missing. This happens at least twice a game and I find it pretty funny.
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On May 19 2011 04:27 slyboogie wrote:
Actually, I've heard news that the league may allow for an amnesty clause (The Allan Houston rule) in the new CBA for the 2011-2012 season. If that is the case, I can see half a dozen teams fixing their rosters in 1-3 years instead of 3-5. Imagine Dallas waiving Brendan Haywood with not cap implications, that, along with Jet expiring, would make them a genuine contender for any free agent in the 2012 class
Let's hope not, because that screws over teams that were able to avoid bad contracts and stupid situations, unlike the Magic (Arenas) Lakers (artest) Nets (Outlaw) Heat (Bosh? just kidding).
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United States4471 Posts
On May 19 2011 05:02 Holcan wrote:Show nested quote +On May 18 2011 17:26 blizzind wrote:That is one reason I don't like Durant. You can foul him by just breathing on him and then he gets pissed off when he actually gets called for a foul. He'll then go and whine for a flagrant on something totally standard. He doesn't have a squeaky clean image like most people think, not on the court at least.
I also hate Westbrook. There's a Westbrook at each gym you go to or any pickup game you enter. They think they're the next MJ and they try to do everything themselves even when they're not even the best player on their team. He also whines a ton.
I guess I'm just an okc hater. I do want them in the finals though because I think it would be a fun match up for the heat. Lebron and Wade vs Durant and Westbrook. Would be a sweet tag team match. ![[image loading]](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sy5Bu3_K-Hk) Yea, Durant, all he does is make up calls, and chase after refs on contact..Man, he like hunted those refs down, and this game was the decider between them getting a higher seed in the playoffs, taking that in context its even MORE ridiculous how little he complains, but yea, you're right. and LOL @ Westbrook argument, Theres a Westbrook in each conference, this year it was Derrick Rose, and you all gave him an MVP. So either enjoy the fact that Westbrook knows he carries a third of the offense, or shut up, because im sick of hearing people place Westbrook on this evil pedestal for being the obvious 2nd best player on his team. If anyone remembers last year, people were still questioning if it was Jeff Green, now that he(Westbrook) steps into the position, people are mad again? Get over yourselves. I'm happy you accept that you're just a blind hater. Next thing you know you'll be posting that OKC wont be shooting 80% from the free throw line consistently.
Going to have to agree with Holcan on this one. Durant does get upset when calls don't go his way, but that's what he's supposed to do if he feels like the refs are unfairly preventing his team from winning. He is a very competitive player, and that's what it takes to be great in the NBA.
As for his complaining, I don't find him to be on the excessive end of the spectrum at all. Understand that all teams know that the only way they can defend Durant is to be very physical with him, so he's constantly having guys try to rough him up on the court. As a result, he's going to get frustrated when he doesn't get calls, and he's going to get frustrated when he gets called for conduct he doesn't think are fouls. Sure, he may not always be correct when he argues, but no players are. He's far from one of the most vocal players when it comes to complaining about calls, I can't even remember any technicals he's received for doing so.
With regards to him drawing fouls, that's unfortunately just part of the game at this point. Getting to the FT line is a very efficient way to score points in the NBA, particularly for a guy who shoots them as well as Durant does. The great thing about FTs is that you're able to score whether you're on or off on offense as long as you can make FTs, you're getting the other team into the penalty so your other teammates also get easy FT attempts, and you're getting opponents into foul trouble. Look no further than what Dirk was able to accomplish in the game last night. All of the best scorers in the league are great at getting to the line, and I assure you that they all work on ways to do so. You can't blame Durant for utilizing a tactic that works so well, particularly when lots of other players do the same thing.
Westbrook is having a tough time in the playoffs, but he's still a very good player. Teams have to design their defenses to keep him out of the paint, because he just destroys teams if they don't. He's also, like Durant, great at drawing and making FTs (not last game though for some reason), and gets all the benefits from that described above. His perimeter shooting has improved a little, but his bread and butter is always going to be attacking the basket, which he is great at. It's true that he needs to recognize that Durant is the #1 option more, but the fact remains that he's not a true PG, usually has the ball in his hands because he's playing PG, and teams do everything they can to deny Durant the ball and so Westbrook is often left doing something himself. He could be better, but let's not neglect that he's already a very good player.
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Westbrook
Position: Guard ▪ Height: 6-3 ▪ Weight: 187 lbs.
Rose
Position: Guard ▪ Height: 6-3 ▪ Weight: 190 lbs.
FG% Last Year/This Year
Wesbrook .418/.442
Rose .489/.445
Points per Game last year/this year
Westbrook 16.1/21.9
Rose 20.8/25
Assists per game last year/this year
Westbrook 8.0/8.2
Rose 6.0/7.7
They look pretty identical to me, except that your concept that Rose is a less selfish guard, of course, Westbrook has shown to pass at a higher rate both seasons.
All stats from basketball-reference.com
btw i didnt know how literally identical these players were until you decided to comment on it, guess it was a lot closer than i thought, about 3 pounds, .003 shooting, 3 points, and half an assist away.
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On May 19 2011 05:28 Holcan wrote:
Westbrook
Position: Guard ▪ Height: 6-3 ▪ Weight: 187 lbs.
Rose
Position: Guard ▪ Height: 6-3 ▪ Weight: 190 lbs.
FG% Last Year/This Year
Wesbrook .418/.442
Rose .489/.445
Points per Game last year/this year
Westbrook 16.1/21.9
Rose 20.8/25
Assists per game last year/this year
Westbrook 8.0/8.2
Rose 6.0/7.7
They look pretty identical to me, except that your concept that Rose is a less selfish guard, of course, Westbrook has shown to pass at a higher rate both seasons.
All stats from basketball-reference.com
btw i didnt know how literally identical these players were until you decided to comment on it, guess it was a lot closer than i thought, about 3 pounds, .003 shooting, 3 points, and half an assist away.
Their games are not as similar as their production would indicate. Rose is a better finisher and, I can't believe I'm saying this, has superior shot selection compared to Russell Westbrook. Keep in mind, I don't really like either player, just check my post history. I think in my previous post, I said that most people would dislike one game if they disliked the other, no? Though I will say, Westbrook has a shocking Assist % this year.
Again, they are similar ball-dominating guards who drive to the rim, thrive on their athleticism, are inefficient, lack consistent jump shooting and give me conniptions to watch. I don't think Rose deserved that MVP and I think it will be the WORST MVP selection since Karl Malone over Jordan or Steve Nash's second over...Wade, Lebron, Paul, Kobe, Dirk.
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On May 19 2011 05:38 slyboogie wrote:Show nested quote +On May 19 2011 05:28 Holcan wrote:
Westbrook
Position: Guard ▪ Height: 6-3 ▪ Weight: 187 lbs.
Rose
Position: Guard ▪ Height: 6-3 ▪ Weight: 190 lbs.
FG% Last Year/This Year
Wesbrook .418/.442
Rose .489/.445
Points per Game last year/this year
Westbrook 16.1/21.9
Rose 20.8/25
Assists per game last year/this year
Westbrook 8.0/8.2
Rose 6.0/7.7
They look pretty identical to me, except that your concept that Rose is a less selfish guard, of course, Westbrook has shown to pass at a higher rate both seasons.
All stats from basketball-reference.com
btw i didnt know how literally identical these players were until you decided to comment on it, guess it was a lot closer than i thought, about 3 pounds, .003 shooting, 3 points, and half an assist away. Their games are not as similar as their production would indicate. Rose is a better finisher and, I can't believe I'm saying this, superior shot selection compared to Russell Westbrook. Keep in mind, I don't really like either player, just check my post history. I think in my previous post, I said that most people would dislike one game if they disliked the other, no? Though I will say, Westbrook has a shocking Assist % this year. Again, they are similar ball-dominating guards who drive to the rim, thrive on their athleticism, are inefficient, lack consistent jump shooting and give me conniptions to watch. I don't think Rose deserved that MVP and I think it will be the WORST MVP selection since Karl Malone over Jordan or Steve Nash's second over...Wade, Lebron, Paul, Kobe, Dirk.
Basketball fans dislike both players, aside from the fact that they really made the "best pg in the league" conversation heat up past Paul and Williams, its not true basketball fans im ranting about/too, its the fanboys who come around for 2 months spouting inconsistent farcities as if they are truths. My point stands that Derrick Rose put his team in a jansport and he gets an MVP trophy, Westbrook does it, and because he is from a small market, he gets pounded down with insults. Its ridiculous how one sided people view this. Yes Westbrook carries a huge offensive load, Yes Westbrook shoots under 45%, no Westbrook is not a bad player because of it, if anything blame the coaching staff for telling him he was able to take a third of the offense. Does he make incorrect plays sometimes, sure, everyone does. He takes his team past the first two rounds and people are still questioning wether this is the right role for him to play. It is.
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Marshall Islands3404 Posts
westbrook being a ball hog is blown out of proportion to so many degrees on this forum. HES EXPECTED TO SCORE
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On May 19 2011 05:49 Holcan wrote:Show nested quote +On May 19 2011 05:38 slyboogie wrote:On May 19 2011 05:28 Holcan wrote:
Westbrook
Position: Guard ▪ Height: 6-3 ▪ Weight: 187 lbs.
Rose
Position: Guard ▪ Height: 6-3 ▪ Weight: 190 lbs.
FG% Last Year/This Year
Wesbrook .418/.442
Rose .489/.445
Points per Game last year/this year
Westbrook 16.1/21.9
Rose 20.8/25
Assists per game last year/this year
Westbrook 8.0/8.2
Rose 6.0/7.7
They look pretty identical to me, except that your concept that Rose is a less selfish guard, of course, Westbrook has shown to pass at a higher rate both seasons.
All stats from basketball-reference.com
btw i didnt know how literally identical these players were until you decided to comment on it, guess it was a lot closer than i thought, about 3 pounds, .003 shooting, 3 points, and half an assist away. Their games are not as similar as their production would indicate. Rose is a better finisher and, I can't believe I'm saying this, superior shot selection compared to Russell Westbrook. Keep in mind, I don't really like either player, just check my post history. I think in my previous post, I said that most people would dislike one game if they disliked the other, no? Though I will say, Westbrook has a shocking Assist % this year. Again, they are similar ball-dominating guards who drive to the rim, thrive on their athleticism, are inefficient, lack consistent jump shooting and give me conniptions to watch. I don't think Rose deserved that MVP and I think it will be the WORST MVP selection since Karl Malone over Jordan or Steve Nash's second over...Wade, Lebron, Paul, Kobe, Dirk. Basketball fans dislike both players, aside from the fact that they really made the "best pg in the league" conversation heat up past Paul and Williams, its not true basketball fans im ranting about/too, its the fanboys who come around for 2 months spouting inconsistent farcities as if they are truths. My point stands that Derrick Rose put his team in a jansport and he gets an MVP trophy, Westbrook does it, and because he is from a small market, he gets pounded down with insults. Its ridiculous how one sided people view this. Yes Westbrook carries a huge offensive load, Yes Westbrook shoots under 45%, no Westbrook is not a bad player because of it, if anything blame the coaching staff for telling him he was able to take a third of the offense. Does he make incorrect plays sometimes, sure, everyone does. He takes his team past the first two rounds and people are still questioning wether this is the right role for him to play. It is.
Let me just point out, in order to be transparent, that I despise Westbrook's game. On the one hand, it is kinda exciting to see a guy with every single tangible tool run around, jumping from everywhere like a magic carpet and handling himself with the best athletes in the world. On the other, Westbrook is a totally fungible basketball player. There will be another point guard from Kentucky or UCLA or UNC or Texas or The Ohio State or whatever...who is a fantastic athlete, who is lengthy and strong and fast and who runs and jumps and shoots.
I just don't see how in a league that has seen Chris Paul and Steven Nash can be all that impressed with Derrick Rose and Russell Westbrook. They're doing Allen Iverson impressions...just without the cornrows and ink. If 2011 Russ Westbrook and D-Rose are seriously that great, then Dwyane Wade 2005-2006, Kobe 2006-2007, Lebron his whole freaking career had better be in another universe cause that wasn't that long ago.
I enjoy these conversations, so none of this is meant to be mean or anything.
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On May 19 2011 05:49 Holcan wrote:Show nested quote +On May 19 2011 05:38 slyboogie wrote:On May 19 2011 05:28 Holcan wrote:
Westbrook
Position: Guard ▪ Height: 6-3 ▪ Weight: 187 lbs.
Rose
Position: Guard ▪ Height: 6-3 ▪ Weight: 190 lbs.
FG% Last Year/This Year
Wesbrook .418/.442
Rose .489/.445
Points per Game last year/this year
Westbrook 16.1/21.9
Rose 20.8/25
Assists per game last year/this year
Westbrook 8.0/8.2
Rose 6.0/7.7
They look pretty identical to me, except that your concept that Rose is a less selfish guard, of course, Westbrook has shown to pass at a higher rate both seasons.
All stats from basketball-reference.com
btw i didnt know how literally identical these players were until you decided to comment on it, guess it was a lot closer than i thought, about 3 pounds, .003 shooting, 3 points, and half an assist away. Their games are not as similar as their production would indicate. Rose is a better finisher and, I can't believe I'm saying this, superior shot selection compared to Russell Westbrook. Keep in mind, I don't really like either player, just check my post history. I think in my previous post, I said that most people would dislike one game if they disliked the other, no? Though I will say, Westbrook has a shocking Assist % this year. Again, they are similar ball-dominating guards who drive to the rim, thrive on their athleticism, are inefficient, lack consistent jump shooting and give me conniptions to watch. I don't think Rose deserved that MVP and I think it will be the WORST MVP selection since Karl Malone over Jordan or Steve Nash's second over...Wade, Lebron, Paul, Kobe, Dirk. Basketball fans dislike both players, aside from the fact that they really made the "best pg in the league" conversation heat up past Paul and Williams, its not true basketball fans im ranting about/too, its the fanboys who come around for 2 months spouting inconsistent farcities as if they are truths. My point stands that Derrick Rose put his team in a jansport and he gets an MVP trophy, Westbrook does it, and because he is from a small market, he gets pounded down with insults. Its ridiculous how one sided people view this. Yes Westbrook carries a huge offensive load, Yes Westbrook shoots under 45%, no Westbrook is not a bad player because of it, if anything blame the coaching staff for telling him he was able to take a third of the offense. Does he make incorrect plays sometimes, sure, everyone does. He takes his team past the first two rounds and people are still questioning wether this is the right role for him to play. It is.
The correct, primary role of the clear 2nd best player on a team is to get the ball to the clear best player on the team. Westbrook has been having huge problems this season with that and almost all of OKC's playoff losses this year is due to that. Durant should be touching the ball on almost every possession and should be the number one option.
In fact, one of the biggest changes that netted the Bulls 6 championships in the 90s was having Pippen handle the ball instead of Jordan. Pippen's role was then to get Jordan the ball in the low block while still scoring 20 ppg.
Only reason Derrick Rose got MVP this year because it was a really weak year for it. And his role on the Bulls is different since he doesn't have anybody who's clearly a better scorer than he is. I'm not that impressed with Rose, either. There was one game in particular against the Hawks where they should have won by a large margin but Rose almost killed them with his bad shot selection.
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On May 19 2011 07:42 andrewlt wrote:Show nested quote +On May 19 2011 05:49 Holcan wrote:On May 19 2011 05:38 slyboogie wrote:On May 19 2011 05:28 Holcan wrote:
Westbrook
Position: Guard ▪ Height: 6-3 ▪ Weight: 187 lbs.
Rose
Position: Guard ▪ Height: 6-3 ▪ Weight: 190 lbs.
FG% Last Year/This Year
Wesbrook .418/.442
Rose .489/.445
Points per Game last year/this year
Westbrook 16.1/21.9
Rose 20.8/25
Assists per game last year/this year
Westbrook 8.0/8.2
Rose 6.0/7.7
They look pretty identical to me, except that your concept that Rose is a less selfish guard, of course, Westbrook has shown to pass at a higher rate both seasons.
All stats from basketball-reference.com
btw i didnt know how literally identical these players were until you decided to comment on it, guess it was a lot closer than i thought, about 3 pounds, .003 shooting, 3 points, and half an assist away. Their games are not as similar as their production would indicate. Rose is a better finisher and, I can't believe I'm saying this, superior shot selection compared to Russell Westbrook. Keep in mind, I don't really like either player, just check my post history. I think in my previous post, I said that most people would dislike one game if they disliked the other, no? Though I will say, Westbrook has a shocking Assist % this year. Again, they are similar ball-dominating guards who drive to the rim, thrive on their athleticism, are inefficient, lack consistent jump shooting and give me conniptions to watch. I don't think Rose deserved that MVP and I think it will be the WORST MVP selection since Karl Malone over Jordan or Steve Nash's second over...Wade, Lebron, Paul, Kobe, Dirk. Basketball fans dislike both players, aside from the fact that they really made the "best pg in the league" conversation heat up past Paul and Williams, its not true basketball fans im ranting about/too, its the fanboys who come around for 2 months spouting inconsistent farcities as if they are truths. My point stands that Derrick Rose put his team in a jansport and he gets an MVP trophy, Westbrook does it, and because he is from a small market, he gets pounded down with insults. Its ridiculous how one sided people view this. Yes Westbrook carries a huge offensive load, Yes Westbrook shoots under 45%, no Westbrook is not a bad player because of it, if anything blame the coaching staff for telling him he was able to take a third of the offense. Does he make incorrect plays sometimes, sure, everyone does. He takes his team past the first two rounds and people are still questioning wether this is the right role for him to play. It is. The correct, primary role of the clear 2nd best player on a team is to get the ball to the clear best player on the team. Westbrook has been having huge problems this season with that and almost all of OKC's playoff losses this year is due to that. Durant should be touching the ball on almost every possession and should be the number one option. In fact, one of the biggest changes that netted the Bulls 6 championships in the 90s was having Pippen handle the ball instead of Jordan. Pippen's role was then to get Jordan the ball in the low block while still scoring 20 ppg. Only reason Derrick Rose got MVP this year because it was a really weak year for it. And his role on the Bulls is different since he doesn't have anybody who's clearly a better scorer than he is. I'm not that impressed with Rose, either. There was one game in particular against the Hawks where they should have won by a large margin but Rose almost killed them with his bad shot selection.
First of all, the correct role for the 2nd best player, is to be just as good as your first player, see Paul Pierce/Garnett, Kobe/Pau, Kobe/Pau, etc And if you arent as good to have as big of an ego as that next person (Ray Allen, although he did shut Kobe the fuck down in 08). Having only 1 primary option on offense is just silly, and relating anyone to Jordan is equally silly, the man had more will and desire and FUCKING win than pretty much in anyone in SPORTS, let alone basketball.
Second, Westbrook and Durant have a very good relationship and often make good passes to each other, ever think about the fact that Durant gets swarmed on defense and often passes out himself, for example when he swings a pass to Harden who is open? I've seen this a lot of times this year, the reason why Durant is so good is his ability to recognize open teammates, and being a team player, as if 8 assists isnt a good average for a score first player, anyways.
Lastly, Dwight? Lebron? Dirk? all these players were ACTUAL MVPs, their teams were trashy without them, (The Heat maybe not, who knows Lebron is amazing though). Chicago got over hyped because they are a legacy team and from a large market in the midwest. They had a great defensive coach who had their players playing defense every game of the season, when that happens you have a good season, look at the Trail Blazers for the past couple years, all they do is play a slow pace and defense, and they win 50+ games, they didnt even have a player make the all star team.
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Rose is far and away the number one scoring option the bulls have. He does have a tendency to dominate the ball too much, but the bulls want him to take a lot of shots every game. Believe it or not it is not his instinct to take so many shots but if you look at what all of his coaches have said(high school college, NBA), they all beg him to be very aggressive b/c
a. he is a great scorer, and
b. it opens up the offense for everyone else (he does not have many creators on the team).
Westbrook is NOT the first option, although you wouldn't know it by the way he plays. Even though he has one of the best scorers in the league on his team, he still dominates the ball. I sincerely believe that if rose was playing with Durant that he would play much more as a pure point gaurd.
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First option? No, but he is definitely option 1b, and I think Durant enjoys some of the pressure being taken off of him considering what was placed on him after taking the Lakers to 6, and leading Team USA to a championship.
Now that I remember this, this is a perfect example to bring this up. It is the same as with Team USA, Durant was option 1, and Rose was option 1b.
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EPT
