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Big J 33 wrote:

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JapanAir21 wrote:

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I'm pretty sure that he missed the second 17 footer. He had 5 points that quarter, that I remember.

Yes, you absolutely complain about his shot selection. It doesn't matter if he's wide open on those mid-range shots, the problem is, he connects on a very low%.

But what it comes down to, who do you want taking shots late in games, KD or Westbrook? There are two players who are the other two leading scorers who are SUPREMELY better perimeter shooters.

If I'm Scott Brooks, I say, "Kid, attack the basket, and if you don't have a shot, pass the goddamn ball."

His. Jumpshot. Is. Broke. Can it improve? Sure. Has it? No.

In the paint, and midrange, he's been shooting about 35-36% from both.

Until he starts showing some improvement, and taking care of the goddamn ball, I don't see what's so special about him.

I'd maybe say he's rusty because of time off, but this is the same exact team as he's had for the past few years, and he doesn't seem out of shape, it just seems like he's the same player he's been the past few years. He doesn't take care of the ball, he doesn't have any kind of versatility scoring the basketball outside of the paint, and he (along with the rest of the Thunder players) are very stagnant in half-court basketball.

That's my only problem with considering them contenders. Could they beat someone like the Mavericks in the Playoffs this year? Yeah, probably. But I don't think they'd fair too well against a team like Miami in a seven-game series.

Maybe I'm just a hater though.


Give me some of James Harden though, good God, we want to talk about talented? THAT DUDE. I hate playing against him, but he's easily one of my favorite players to watch.

That ridiculous rant you had earlier proves you're a hater in regards to Westbrook.

Mez 0ne wrote:

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People thinks he should shoot less, but in the end they will need his scoring, he just needs to settle down.

Guy is 23 years old man......23.

That's the thing people need to remember. Durant, Harden, and Westbrook. Those are the only three who can score on that team. Sure the others can hit a few shots here and there, but unless you're swapping Westbrook for a more traditional PG AND a reliable inside scoring threat, I'm not of the belief that he's killing this team's chances to be successful. What kills me it's when critics act like the Thunder have been struggling with this burden and every win they get is in spite of Westbrook and every loss they get is solely his fault. The coach has a lot of blame as well, when their "plays" fail and Durant can't get open, Westbrook has no choice but to try to force and create something.

I'm a big Westbrook fan. Liked him in college, wanted him on the Knicks, and I've still been a fan since he came into the league. He's game is exciting, also frustrating at times, but I still like watching him play. I when people like OP claim you can't have knowledge of the game and still like him.. GET OVER YOURSELF. I'll be damned if someone says who I can and can't like. I'm well aware of his issues and his problems, I'm also aware he's still young and I think can still improve. And I will admit, part of what helps me be a fan is the disdain of everyone else towards him. It's the praise of Durant as perfect, and all others like Lebron and Westbrook has evil and everything wrong with the game. It seems like people really want this kid to struggle and fail, so they can point and laugh at him. I think a huge part of that is everyone loves Durant so much, so an evil combo guard with outrageous confidence and at times too much emotion will be seen as an attack on KD.

This is related to a lot of the "criticism" I've seen of players as of late. Dwight smiles too much and is never serious enough to win. Kobe makes fake intense tough guy voices and even his celebrations copy Michael. Lebron dances on the sidelines and is too Hollywood. Wade complains to the refs too much. Westbrook whines and pouts. I DON'T CARE. Maybe I used to and could find these things annoying in the past, but I don't see the point. If you can play, you can play. If you win, you win. I don't care if you're a *GASP* combo guard, I don't care if you're a tweener,o I don't care if you're 7 feet tall and shoot 3's.. whatever you do to win and be successful, go for it.

If people want to try to play psychologist and claim Westbrook is too selfish and will never change, cool. Hell, you might be right and they'll trade him and then it will rain sunshine and lollipops on OKC as they win ten straight titles without him. Or he gives up some scoring and becomes a better distributor. Or he and Durant continue to win despite their "confrontations" and Westbrook's "selfish" play, and they find a way to co-exist and only keep improving. Either way, it seems like the hate for Westbrook is unfair. People are piling on their hatred of combo guards, of emotional players, or those who aren't as perfect as Durant, or their past dislike of players like Westbrook, etc. He's still a kid in my eyes, I think he improves, I like watching him play, and I hope he and Durant are successful for a long time.