Westbrook in straight beast mode again...

[Wolves4Life]

Originally Posted by cnewby

Did you even watch the game? He had a much better shooting pct than the rest of those scrubs would have with those shots.

Don't disagree with that, He's also the reason they lost.

[cnewby]

Originally Posted by Wolves4Life

Don't disagree with that, He's also the reason they lost.

Gotcha, they lost solely because of his 58pts and 9assists.

[Chris P]

Originally Posted by Wolves4Life

Don't disagree with that, He's also the reason they lost.

Did he take a stupid ill advised shot..yup..no doubt...he's not the sole reason they lost...they were up 14..he goes to the bench...4 minutes of ZERO scoring and the Blazers are right back in it. This team is so offensively challenged it's not even funny. Dipo might be the only other guy on the team that can create his own shot. This game was competitive because of Russ. He also set up Dipo for that 3 to get them down 1. He scored what 17 in the 4th? He needed every single one of them. He had good looks at the end and just didn't make em, but there's nobody else I want with the ball than Russ.

[Chris P]

Originally Posted by cnewby

Gotcha, they lost solely because of his 58pts and 9assists.

Exactly any other superstar that takes over games gets applauded..but it's Russ so he's gets crapped on

[The_Reverend]

People seem to forget that Jordan, not trying to compare him, was a scoring machine with. O rings u till he got some other players around him. Russ just has a sour puss demeanor so people don't like him. The guy is putting up some numbers that might never be put up ever again. He is not a suck up, meaning he does it his own way so people hate on him.

Just comparing the superstars of the league today who can effect the game on both ends of the floor, Russ is one of them along with LeBron, Kwahi. I just enjoy watching him play

[Chris P]

Originally Posted by The_Reverend

People seem to forget that Jordan, not trying to compare him, was a scoring machine with. O rings u till he got some other players around him. Russ just has a sour puss demeanor so people don't like him. The guy is putting up some numbers that might never be put up ever again. He is not a suck up, meaning he does it his own way so people hate on him.

Just comparing the superstars of the league today who can effect the game on both ends of the floor, Russ is one of them along with LeBron, Kwahi. I just enjoy watching him play

I know...I really don't get people's realistic expectations with this team. The roster turnover was major and that got a lot younger. Look up and down that roster at the guys who are in the rotation....besides Taj Gibson who was just acquired, most of these guys are in their 4th season or less. Russ is doing the best he can in the situation he's in and for some detractors he'll never win with them. If he doesn't make the playoffs, he's not a real star...if he barely makes the playoffs..he's not that valuable to the team...if he gets assists it's because he's hunting for stats..if he doesn't..he's selfish and a me guy..if the team is shooting DREADFULLY and Russ has to carry the load like a leader should he should still sacrifice that and "make his players better"..he literally can't do anything right for some people.

[ninjacookies]

Yup.

As much as 58 points is and out-of-this world feat that's becoming basically expected from WB any given night, the stats don't lie.

OKC is basically unbeatable when WB drops a triple double, and a punching bag when he doesn't. I think that speaks a lot more to the ineptitude of his surrounding cast, since the team becomes extremely competitive only when WB is dominating in all facets of the game, regardless of efficiency.

Definitely not the other way around, like some would like to imply.

[Chris P]

Originally Posted by ninjacookies

Yup.

As much as 58 points is and out-of-this world feat that's becoming basically expected from WB any given night, the stats don't lie.

OKC is basically unbeatable when WB drops a triple double, and a punching bag when he doesn't. I think that speaks a lot more to the ineptitude of his surrounding cast, since the team becomes extremely competitive only when WB is dominating in all categories.

Definitely not the other way around, like some would like to imply.

That's why it's ABSURD for people to say..."if he's so valuable..why are they just the 7th seed?"...gimmie a break

[ninjacookies]

Originally Posted by Chris P

That's why it's ABSURD for people to say..."if he's so valuable..why are they just the 7th seed?"...gimmie a break

I like to put it this way:

Would anyone care to argue that Mike Trout isn't the undisputed best player in baseball?

They might want to check the Angel's standings the past 3 years. Runner up mvp 2 years ago and mvp last year.

It'd be great if baseball and basketball were 1 men sports.

[Chris P]

Originally Posted by ninjacookies

Yup.

As much as 58 points is and out-of-this world feat that's becoming basically expected from WB any given night, the stats don't lie.

OKC is basically unbeatable when WB drops a triple double, and a punching bag when he doesn't. I think that speaks a lot more to the ineptitude of his surrounding cast, since the team becomes extremely competitive only when WB is dominating in all facets of the game, regardless of efficiency.

Definitely not the other way around, like some would like to imply.

It's not a good supporting cast..people look at it on paper and disagree but it's really not...there are zero outside shooters..the big down low is Kanter but his defense is suspect and Roberson is arguably the worst offensive starter in the league

[ninjacookies]

Originally Posted by Chris P

It's not a good supporting cast..people look at it on paper and disagree but it's really not...there are zero outside shooters..the big down low is Kanter but his defense is suspect and Roberson is arguably the worst offensive starter in the league

Yep.

It's a ton easier to shut down a team when you can basically double down and trap WB and slide down inside to guard their only interior offensive presence. That leaves around 13 feet of unaccounted mid range area that nobody else on the squad can knock down, with exception of maybe Abrinas.

[Chris P]

Originally Posted by ninjacookies

I like to put it this way:

Would anyone care to argue that Mike Trout isn't the undisputed best player in baseball?

They might want to check the Angel's standings the past 3 years. Runner up mvp 2 years ago and mvp last year.

It'd be great if baseball and basketball were 1 men sports.

Yeah and we've had this convo many times during the season but I still don't get it...it's not that I get why people don't LIKE Russ...hey you don't have to LIKE him...but c'mon there's a lot of people that discredit EVERYTHING he does..it's super annoying.

[ninjacookies]

Originally Posted by Chris P

Yeah and we've had this convo many times during the season but I still don't get it...it's not that I get why people don't LIKE Russ...hey you don't have to LIKE him...but c'mon there's a lot of people that discredit EVERYTHING he does..it's super annoying.

But 95 percent of those people also happen to be newfound fans of Durant. Irony. The rest are pretty much indifferent or not a fan but think he's at least fun to watch.

[Chris P]

Originally Posted by ninjacookies

But 95 percent of those people also happen to be newfound fans of Durant. Irony. The rest are pretty much indifferent or not a fan but think he's at least fun to watch.

LOL...yup...I seriously would wonder how good Durant would be with this team and the same supporting cast...don't see it would be much better honestly, but this is reality and Russ is the one in that position and having to make best of it.

[Ottomatic]

I was just hoping he could have made one of those 4-5 late shot misses to go to OT and try to drop 70. Mannnn, what could have been.

[Wolves4Life]

Originally Posted by cnewby

Gotcha, they lost solely because of his 58pts and 9assists.

They lost because of dumb rushed shots. I will give credit where it's due. They almost won BECAUSE of him only but if 1 person is the reason someone WINS they have to be the blame sometimes to why they lose.

[the27guy]

Originally Posted by Ottomatic

I was just hoping he could have made one of those 4-5 late shot misses to go to OT and try to drop 70. Mannnn, what could have been.

I was rooting for Portland because that's what benefits the jazz. But I was hoping Portland won in like quadruple OT for the same reason.

[lyyca]

Originally Posted by Chris P

It's not a good supporting cast..people look at it on paper and disagree but it's really not...there are zero outside shooters..the big down low is Kanter but his defense is suspect and Roberson is arguably the worst offensive starter in the league

Oh man, for real. If you have money on OKC, your heart will skip a beat every time Robertson shoots the ball. Great defender but can't stand his severe lack of offense. He shoots enough bricks to build every member in this forum a mansion and there would still be a surplus of bricks.

[inopethflames]

its getting to be danger time for him finishing with like 9.8 or 9.7 assists. he should easily be able to maintain rebounds, but over his last 5 games he's averaging 7.4 assists and hes at 10.0 right now. i really hope he can keep it up over the last 20 games cause it would suck to have a triple double for 60+ games and then end up barely below it in assists. i think unfortunately right now its probably about 80% that he doesnt get it because of assists. their team is awful without him and they seem to be worse since adding gibson & mcdermott.

[elee712]

Right now it seems to be - give Westbrook the ball, set screens and crash the board and if you get the rebound, give it back to Westbrook.

Now that they've acquired two more pieces, I don't see why they don't tinker with the starting lineup.

I'd like to see them try a starting lineup of WB, Oladipo, McD, Taj and Kanter (or keep Adams in there). Balance out the offense...Get McDermott some open looks playing with the first unit. Bring Roberson off the bench as a defensive substitution. I don't think their roster is as bad as everyone thinks. They do have offensive weapons other than WB...they're just not utilizing them.

[WalterAZ31]

Originally Posted by cnewby

Did you even watch the game? He had a much better shooting pct than the rest of those scrubs would have with those shots.

Of course he didn't he's just a troll on here.

[21Pittsburgh58]

I'm a huge fan of Russ and I agree with a lot of what is being said - both good and bad. It's been talked to death. Fortunately, the guy is a dominator and a force. Unfortunately, when he does go cold, it's in such a huge light because people don't have anyone else to point at. He was +7 when on the court and the rest of the team was -12 when he was resting. Who's to blame?

Is it Billy Donovan? Is he not coaching around Westbrook? Is Westbrook such a dominant alpha male that he won't allow a system to be put into place? Is there a plan for a system? Is Westbrook a player that the team has no idea what he's going to do? Is there a game plan in place prior to a game that goes out the window when Russ decides to take over? Does Russ get along with his teammates? Are his teammates happy to be his teammate? Are they as amazed as us at what Russ is doing that they forget what their job is? Confusion on the court? How are they not rebounding better? You KNOW misses are going to happen, so why not have Kanter and Adams crash the boards? It would give Russ another option when he goes into the air and forces up a shot instead of dishing.

The Thunder have a lot of work to do concerning the team and the direction they want to go. They definitely need another superstar but I wonder if any of them are willing to go there. They do have some talent as a team, but I don't believe that the current system and lineup is enough to be a threat. All of this is above my basketball IQ so I don't know. What I do know is that watching Russ and OKC is exhilarating and frustrating. Has to be, at some point, the same for them.

Tennelson55: I called you out for your negative comments on Westbrook. You have every right to make those comments and shouldn't be ostracized for doing so. I honestly apologize for that!


Jason

[Chris P]

Originally Posted by elee712

Right now it seems to be - give Westbrook the ball, set screens and crash the board and if you get the rebound, give it back to Westbrook.

Now that they've acquired two more pieces, I don't see why they don't tinker with the starting lineup.

I'd like to see them try a starting lineup of WB, Oladipo, McD, Taj and Kanter (or keep Adams in there). Balance out the offense...Get McDermott some open looks playing with the first unit. Bring Roberson off the bench as a defensive substitution. I don't think their roster is as bad as everyone thinks. They do have offensive weapons other than WB...they're just not utilizing them.

I really wish Taj would start over Sabonis...Sabonis has great potential but he's not ready for the starting role and the addition of Taj means OKC isn't forced to start sabonis

[Chris P]

Originally Posted by 21Pittsburgh58

I'm a huge fan of Russ and I agree with a lot of what is being said - both good and bad. It's been talked to death. Fortunately, the guy is a dominator and a force. Unfortunately, when he does go cold, it's in such a huge light because people don't have anyone else to point at. He was +7 when on the court and the rest of the team was -12 when he was resting. Who's to blame?

Is it Billy Donovan? Is he not coaching around Westbrook? Is Westbrook such a dominant alpha male that he won't allow a system to be put into place? Is there a plan for a system? Is Westbrook a player that the team has no idea what he's going to do? Is there a game plan in place prior to a game that goes out the window when Russ decides to take over? Does Russ get along with his teammates? Are his teammates happy to be his teammate? Are they as amazed as us at what Russ is doing that they forget what their job is? Confusion on the court? How are they not rebounding better? You KNOW misses are going to happen, so why not have Kanter and Adams crash the boards? It would give Russ another option when he goes into the air and forces up a shot instead of dishing.

The Thunder have a lot of work to do concerning the team and the direction they want to go. They definitely need another superstar but I wonder if any of them are willing to go there. They do have some talent as a team, but I don't believe that the current system and lineup is enough to be a threat. All of this is above my basketball IQ so I don't know. What I do know is that watching Russ and OKC is exhilarating and frustrating. Has to be, at some point, the same for them.

Tennelson55: I called you out for your negative comments on Westbrook. You have every right to make those comments and shouldn't be ostracized for doing so. I honestly apologize for that!


Jason

Here's what I think the problem is....Russ' greatest strength (hyper competitiveness) can also be his downfall. And that's where I think the misconception is that he "doesn't care about winning" or that he's a "stats guy"....he's not..the decisions he makes on the court are all about winning...they just aren't always the right decisions. Like last night, that 3 with 8 seconds left in the game...terrible decision, the play before? The drive and kick back to an open Dipo to cut the lead to 1? Great decision there. I think part of it IS coaching. Even with KD was here under Brooks and then last year with Donovan...what was the gameplan? Give it to KD or Russ. That's more the reason to me KD left than he relationship with Russ. KD wanted to play with a team that had some kind of system (now, where he went is a whole new argument done to death, but I understand WHY KD left). Russ sees it as a challenge that he's willing to accept. He WANTS to be the guy leading this team to wins. Honestly I've thought depth on this team has always been a problem dating back to losing Harden as far as offense goes. I know there are some good defensive players on this team, but man the offensive production is horrid. Maybe the organization is afraid to tell Russ anything because they don't wanna piss him off? Who knows, we don't see the behind the court stuff, but from what I see, Russ is a super competitive guy who takes things personally, so when he sees his team in down, right or wrong, he believes it's up to him to take over and lead this team to victory. So sometimes you get what happened last night...and sometimes you get what happened in Utah and Memphis earlier where Russ single handedly won those games by taking over. Also don't underestimate how hard it is to adjust to all new teammates and the impact of losing a Top 3 MVP player in Durant. With all the young guys and basically just Russ (been disappointed in Dipo even when he is on the court...he's not a 2nd option, he's more of a 3rd option type and that's why I loved the trade when I thought KD was coming back), I don't know what realistic expectations were for this team. For me as a fan, I figured a 5th-8th seed finish with even the possibility of missing the playoffs with 4th seed being the ABSOLUTE best case scenario..but not realistic in my opinion. They are who I thought they were. The one game I always go back to is the Knicks before the all star game. Thanks to inefficient shooting (where Russ was setting up guys for easy shots and they were just clanking everything, even inside) and Melo's hot start, it was quickly 18-2 before Russ even took a shot. He then took over like he does and they erased the lead and ended up winning the game. He needs to do those things to keep this team competitive. Even last night should've been a blowout if it wasn't for him. Anyways, that's my take

[exoticprince]

As amazing as he is, he can't take 39 shots where no other player on the team has double digit FG attempts. He needs to get the team more involved otherwise they're gonna get killed in round 1