OKC: Who is their best player?

[OSUFan_88]

Alright, I know many people during last year and before this season were on the KD bandwagon, thinking he may be the MVP and definitely the best player on his team.

However, a quick look at the stats and watching the games...I think KD is the second fiddle to Russell Westbrook. I mean, Westbrook is really, REALLY good. He may be the best PG in the NBA and that's saying something with the PGs we have right now.

I know you cannot go wrong with either player...but I think, at the moment and into the future, Westbrook is going to be the better player. He's more efficient, provides multiple avenues of production and is a good leader.

[st0rmb11]

Re: OKC: Who is their best player?

Westbrook the best PG in the NBA? sorry, disagree there. His scoring numbers are up in comparison to Rondo, Paul, and Williams because he is asked to score more than they are. But, his assists are far down from their's. Plus, a lot of Westbrook's opportunities come from the defense focusing in on Durant.

He's a solid rebounder, an average passer for an NBA point guard, and a poor perimeter shooter. Durant is arguably one of the top 2 pure scorers in the league (with Carmelo), he's steadily becoming a walking double double with points and rebounds, as he is a much improved rebounder. and an underrated facet of his game is his shot blocking.


Give me Durant now and for the next 10 to 15 years. Westbrook is good, but not near the player Durant is.

[OSUFan_88]

Re: OKC: Who is their best player?

Westbrook the best PG in the NBA? sorry, disagree there. His scoring numbers are up in comparison to Rondo, Paul, and Williams because he is asked to score more than they are. But, his assists are far down from their's. Plus, a lot of Westbrook's opportunities come from the defense focusing in on Durant.

He's a solid rebounder, an average passer for an NBA point guard, and a poor perimeter shooter. Durant is arguably one of the top 2 pure scorers in the league (with Carmelo), he's steadily becoming a walking double double with points and rebounds, as he is a much improved rebounder. and an underrated facet of his game is his shot blocking.


Give me Durant now and for the next 10 to 15 years. Westbrook is good, but not near the player Durant is.

Here's the problem. Durant is not an efficient scorer, or at least isn't right now. And while Westbrook cannot shoot the three, he does have a decent midrange game and his ability to attack the basket is probably tops of any PG in the NBA.

He's an above average passer and is a good rebounder for a PG. Durant is a decent rebounder...but I don't see much else with him, especially when I watch him live.

I'm just not very impressed with Durant and happen to think Westbrook is a better player.

[Bornindamecca]

Re: OKC: Who is their best player?

Durant is normally a very efficient scorer. I think he's having a little hangover from the FIBA tournament, but let's not throw away great percentages from last year and the year before just because of a tough start to the season. Not to mention what he did at the world games. Think you're jumping the gun a little bit here. Durant is usually approaching the 50/40/90% club.

[TMagic]

Re: OKC: Who is their best player?

I can see why you would see Westbrook as the better player OSU if you're just basing it off this season.

But Durant is the better player for the Thunder. He's just started this season off slow. Like Born mentioned, he has been much more efficient than he's been showing thus far this season.

It's funny though...I remember watching some game where Durant said that Westbrook is the leader on the team. Take that however you want to.

Although

[Bumi]

Re: OKC: Who is their best player?

Here's the problem. Durant is not an efficient scorer, or at least isn't right now. And while Westbrook cannot shoot the three, he does have a decent midrange game and his ability to attack the basket is probably tops of any PG in the NBA.

He's an above average passer and is a good rebounder for a PG. Durant is a decent rebounder...but I don't see much else with him, especially when I watch him live.

I'm just not very impressed with Durant and happen to think Westbrook is a better player.

Yes, Durant is an efficient scorer. He's already eclipsed 42% from the arc, and 90% from the charity line in his career, and last season he was close to closing in on 50% FG percentage. He's 22.

Durant's had a very slow start to the season and even still he's sleepwalked to 5 30 pt games. Tops in the league. He's improved his rebounding and shot blocking ability, and he's becoming a better defender. Sorry, I don't but the "Westbrook > Durant notion".

And if you noticed, last night, in the closing moments of the game, when the Thunder needed points, who'd they go to? Durant. Closed out with 8 straight points, giving the Thunder the lead, and ultimately the win.

Lets not get carried away because he's had a slow start.

[Liquidrage]

Re: OKC: Who is their best player?

Yes, Durant is an efficient scorer. He's already eclipsed 42% from the arc, and 90% from the charity line in his career, and last season he was close to closing in on 50% FG percentage. He's 22.

Durant's had a very slow start to the season and even still he's sleepwalked to 5 30 pt games. Tops in the league. He's improved his rebounding and shot blocking ability, and he's becoming a better defender. Sorry, I don't but the "Westbrook > Durant notion".

And if you noticed, last night, in the closing moments of the game, when the Thunder needed points, who'd they go to? Durant. Closed out with 8 straight points, giving the Thunder the lead, and ultimately the win.

Lets not get carried away because he's had a slow start.

Not to nit pick but Durant's 8 straight to "close it out" is surrounded by 5 from Westbrook before. 4 more after. The two of them scored the last 18 for OKC. Russ 5. KD 8. Russ 4. KD 1. That isn't exactly that picture you painted.

KD is OKC's best player. 8 games isn't enough to warrant any serious reflection on overall abilities. Russ's start to the season has been great though. Only CP3 has been a better PG thus far.

24.3 PPG, 7.9 assists 6.4 rebounds, 2.25 steals, .75 blocks are just stat sheet stuffing amazing. The 3.75 TO's aren't even a little deal compared to the numbers he's putting up. His PER and APER are off the charts too.

[Gibbz]

Re: OKC: Who is their best player?

Westbrook has been better than Durant 8 games into the season, but let's tap the brakes here...

Are you really telling me you would rather have Russell Westbrook than Kevin Durant?

[OSUFan_88]

Re: OKC: Who is their best player?

Westbrook has been better than Durant 8 games into the season, but let's tap the brakes here...

Are you really telling me you would rather have Russell Westbrook than Kevin Durant?

I would, but I've always been a big Russ fan.

[cubsball899]

Re: OKC: Who is their best player?

his ability to attack the basket is probably tops of any PG in the NBA.

Only CP3 has been a better PG thus far.

derrick rose is waving to you as he splits yet another double team and puts in yet another up and under reverse layup

[Pared]

Re: OKC: Who is their best player?

According to Westbrook... it is Russell Westbrook.

Dude is really cool though.

[da ThRONe]

Re: OKC: Who is their best player?

According to Westbrook... it is Russell Westbrook.

Dude is really cool though.

I dont have a problem with a guy of Westbrook caliber to think he's the team best player(even when it's clear as rain water he's not).

[Pared]

Re: OKC: Who is their best player?

I don't either; it's more of an attitude thing. It's a team game, and no one can do it themselves.

But when you're a complete blank about it... well, then you're Brandon Jennings.

[HMcCoy]

Re: OKC: Who is their best player?

He's shooting sh*tty so far this season and is a turnover machine, but KD's abilty to draw fouls is going to be historic. Dudes his size cannot stay in front of him, and barring injuries, that won't change for a long, long time. He will obliterate all FT attempted and made records. Seems to have a better IQ too. Will the Thunder playing above the radar have a lasting impact on KD's efficiency? Way too early to say, but teams are being alot more physical with him now that OKC has a bullseye. Westbrook is beast tho...could be considered a top 2 guard if he could guard the position. As a matter of fact, besides Kobe and Wade, I have a hard time coming up with 5 natural SG's I'd take over him at the two. Having a beast like that at the point is just nasty.

What a nice combo these dudes will be for years.

[Bumi]

Re: OKC: Who is their best player?

derrick rose is waving to you as he splits yet another double team and puts in yet another up and under reverse layup

Westbrook is every bit as good as DRose. Better depending on who you ask. But Kenny "The Jet" Smith is a prophet.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZAeo-Tgkxs

Durant is that good. This man literally makes dropping 30 look as easy as dropping 15 for most NBA players. And he's only getting better.