What happened? I didn't hear of anything.Originally Posted by Bigmike23
i see the nuggets are still a bunch of clowns
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What happened? I didn't hear of anything.Originally Posted by Bigmike23
i see the nuggets are still a bunch of clowns
Originally Posted by Blazers21NTNP
Just saw the Clips/Grizz highlights.
That may be the worst ending to a game I've seen.
Westbrook to blame for OKC’s uneven play?
Here’s a funky little stat: Russell Westbrook has used more possessions so far this season than Kevin Durant. Translated into normal people terms, that means Westbrook has ended more Thunder possessions, via a shot, turnover or drawn foul, than the guy who is about to be a two-time scoring champion.
Westbrook has used nearly 32 percent of the Thunder’s possessions while on the floor, the fifth-highest rate in the league. He has also assisted on 43 percent of the Thunder’s baskets in that floor time, also the league’s fifth-highest mark and a rate we expect from an elite point guard. But here’s the thing: Those elite point guards who pass so often typically don’t use up so many other possessions looking for their own shot. Since the league instituted the three-point shot in 1979-80, only three guys have ever finished a season with a usage rate above 30 percent and an assist rate above 40 percent: LeBron James (last season), Dwyane Wade (twice) and Tony Parker, on a thin 2008-09 Spurs team that missed Manu Ginobili for half of that season. Even Derrick Rose, talked up as an MVP for carrying such a heavy load in Chicago this season, is not on pace to pull the 40/3o double. Most top point guards have never even approached the 30 percent usage mark. Even Monta Ellis hasn’t cracked it over a full season.
In other words: Westbrook is acting like a James/Wade type, which some might consider a problem, since James and Wade did not have someone like Durant around when they hit the 40/30 double. Let’s not exaggerate and call this a crisis, though; the Thunder have hovered around the top five in points per possession all season, and though they score a hair more efficiently with Westbrook on the bench, the gap is tiny, and they are still dynamite offensively when he’s on the court. His ability to draw fouls at a superstar level kept this offense afloat early in the season, when Durant was struggling.
Still: Several Thunder-watchers are wringing their hands a bit today, after Westbrook barreled his way to 5-of-17 shooting and three turnovers in the Thunder’s (very nice) win in Denver on Tuesday. Here’s Royce Young of Daily Thunder, praising Scott Brooks’ decision to keep Westbrook on the pine for longer than usual in that game:
I was actually entirely fine with Maynor finishing the game and leaving Westbrook on the bench. There’s no way to put it other than Westbrook was bad. He was forcing things, stopping the ball and taking tough shots. Maynor had the Thunder playing loose. And it looked like Scott Brooks might let Maynor close it. Normally Westbrook comes back with about eight minutes left in the fourth, but this time, he didn’t check back in until there were just four minutes remaining.
And here’s Darnell Mayberry, The Oklahoman‘s outstanding Thunder beat writer, on the same issue:
Look, I’m not trying to be hard on Russell Westbrook. But something is seriously up with him and it probably needs to be addressed in the offseason. Here’s the thing: 77 games into his third season, I can’t say that his decision-making has gotten that much better. It’s grown tremendously from his rookie season to this season. You can’t take that away from him. But his third-year development has left more to be desired. Westbrook can be an incredibly useful scorer thanks to his explosiveness. But it’s nights like tonight, when Russ doesn’t have his shot falling, that would be the perfect time for him to downshift and set up plays for his teammates. But he rarely, if ever, does that.
Finding a balance between two ball-dominating stars is never easy, and the Westbrook/Durant thing has been simmering all year now that Westbrook has blossomed into a scoring star. But if you watch the Thunder, you know Westbrook has a tendency to force it, and that tendency could cost the Thunder a critical possession or two against an elite defense during the postseason. I’m staring right now at a three-on-one fast break from Tuesday night’s game, with Westbrook streaking down the right wing, Durant trailing above the foul line and Kendrick Perkins standing wide open under the rim. And yet, Westbrook won’t pass the ball. He holds onto it until he gets near the paint, where he elevates without an apparent plan. He’s held onto it long enough that Nene has slid into his path. Westbrook lets go of the ball in mid-air, as he slams into Nene, and it’s unclear if he’s shooting or passing. It doesn’t matter. It’s a charge, and Perkins slams his hands on his legs in frustration.
This wasn’t an isolated thing — not last night or this season. Westbrook either misses or opts against too many easy passes open players, and that’s one reason his turnover rate remains a bit too high.
Let me be clear again for the Thunder-Heads: Westbrook is a fabulous player, and the Thunder’s offense is one of the league’s best. You could even argue that the Thunder’s supporting cast, minus James Harden (improving every day!), is comprised of guys who need Westbrook and Durant to carry this much of the load. That argument probably short-changes Serge Ibaka and Nick Collison, but it’s a valid issue at times for a team that is giving heavy minutes to Thabo Sefolosha and Perkins.
And yet, the balance still isn’t quite right in Oklahoma City. The fact that the team is so good already anyway should frighten us all.
Link
For all the (warranted) criticism of Rose, there has not been much or any for Westbrook.
Yeah, it by far the second highest on the Bulls.Originally Posted by CP1708
^
Did Scottie have a high usage in his day?
And if you're following that logic, then you don't expect Miami to do well in the coming years?
For all the (warranted) criticism of Rose, there has not been much or any for Westbrook.
Which is why I have beef with people saying he's a top-tier PG, and that this whole thing is going to work out in OKC with those two.
Scottie and Pippen worked because they were both EXCELLENT on both ends of the floor, and could virtually guard anyone 1-4.
Bron and Wade hope to work for the same reason, but I don't know about OKC.
I see him doing more with less, in term of how Manu is able to have elusive quickness without being necessarily athletic. But other than that I don't really see it. I see him being like a poor man's Chase Budinger but knows what to do with the ballOriginally Posted by Kevin Cleveland
That, for example, doesn't remind you of Manu? Or the strip of Kobe and finish on the other end, etc.?
His whole flow on the court screams Manu to me. Always has. And it should go without saying, but I am, in no way, insinuating that he will be as productive/successful.
Kurt Rambis, Timberwolves: Rambis, not the best communicator or the feistiest general on the sideline, will have to make some changes to bolster belief in some segments of the organization that he's the right long-term fit. The choice of a successor to Phil Jackson in L.A. certainly plays into it, but Rambis appears to have developed the talent he's been given well enough to warrant coming back. The organization is pleased with the fact that Rambis was able to get through to the headstrong Kevin Love and resurrect the career of Michael Beasley -- the latter being no small task. In view of that, and with indications that Ricky Rubio has informed GM David Kahn that he plans to be in Minnesota next season barring a lockout, one industry source characterized Rambis' situation as "very salvageable."
Originally Posted by JapanAir21
For all the (warranted) criticism of Rose, there has not been much or any for Westbrook.
Flip Saunders announced Tuesday that Nick Young, Josh Howard, Rashard Lewis, Cartier Martin and Hamidy N'Diaye are done for the season. Trevor Booker was ruled out last week.
Jesus, who's going to play in these last few games for Washington other than Wall, Crawford, McGee, and Blatche?
Mo Evans, Jeffers, Yi, Seraphin, Shakur.
Barf, looks like the Wizards aren't winning anymore games this season.
Originally Posted by JapanAir21
Flip Saunders announced Tuesday that Nick Young, Josh Howard, Rashard Lewis, Cartier Martin and Hamidy N'Diaye are done for the season. Trevor Booker was ruled out last week.
I'm sure most Wizard fans are hoping for this.Jesus, who's going to play in these last few games for Washington other than Wall, Crawford, McGee, and Blatche?
Mo Evans, Jeffers, Yi, Seraphin, Shakur.
Barf, looks like the Wizards aren't winning anymore games this season.
Originally Posted by JapanAir21
For all the (warranted) criticism of Rose, there has not been much or any for Westbrook.