12/16 - 12/23 Games Discussion Thread

[ERA]

Re: 12/16 - 12/23 Games Discussion Thread

Has anyone noticed Shabazz Muhammad this season? He's been tearing it up. Hopefully he gets the starting spot since Brewer is gone. 12 ppg with 19 mpg on 50% shooting.

I've always been a big fan of his. I knew him in middle school somewhat. A bigger role should put his name on the map.

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[JODYE]

Re: 12/16 - 12/23 Games Discussion Thread

I think a part of his efficiency can be attributed to not having starter minutes, although he does appear way more engaged this year and he came into this season in way better shape.

This is allowing him to get to the rim more frequently, hence the increase in efficient offensive production. He is still a folding lawn chair on defense though as is the rest of Minnesota's roster.

[ojandpizza]

Re: 12/16 - 12/23 Games Discussion Thread

I made the statement in the other thread I made, and I'll make it here too, as a thunder fan, all I have to say is keep being impressed by his athleticism, because it is only impressive in the regular season, and hey, if you want to give him an MVP go ahead, but he'll never have a ring on his finger playing the way he plays. He's too much of a black hole in the offense. Can you blame the coach? Maybe, but every time Westbrook posts one of his 30-7-7 games people freak out and ignore the fact that this dude can't play point guard.

When you have the reigning NBA MVP a guy who has the potential to be the greatest scorer of all-time on your team, you need to get him the ball simple as that.

I would like you (or anyone) to explain how what he did in last year’s playoffs wasn’t impressive, or how he’s a “black hole” especially more of a black hole than his teammate.

Westbrook in the playoffs was a black hole, yet he shot less than Durant? Is it because Durant has a higher FG%, or because Westbrook is a point guard? Is that why his style is considered so bad by many of fans? Durant’s FG% in last year’s playoffs was 46%, Russ’s at 42%.. So assuming they both take 20 shots per game (close to what their averages are) Durant would have made 9.2 shots, while Westbrook would make 8.4.. So only about a half a shot made difference leaves a large enough gap between the two of them that one player reaches labels of “greatest scorer of all time” while the other is a “black hole”, “chucker”, “inefficient”, etc…. sure that makes tons of sense.

As far as him being a point guard, he did average over 8 assists per game. Which put him 3rd behind all point guards in the playoffs, just BARELY (8.4 to 8.1) behind Curry and behind CP3 who was in first. Actually, if OKC hadn’t shot quite as poorly, (13th out of 16) in 3pt%, and 8th in FG%, Westbrook likely would have averaged double digit assists.. After all he did lead the playoffs in double-doubles and triple doubles. He also had a higher PER and ORtg than Durant.

OKC’s problem is NOT that Westbrook doesn’t pass enough, their problem is he’s the ONLY player on the team that does pass. His assists per 100 possessions in the playoffs was higher than anyone out West other than CP3. Higher than Curry, Lillard, Parker.. Of OKC’s field goals 41% of them were assisted by Westbrook, nearly half their shots.. Again CP3 the only guy ahead of him. Of the total teams assists Westbrook accounted for 51% of them, which was quite a bit more than even Chris Paul and likely more than anyone on other teams (can’t find the stat again to check), and of Durant’s shots 53% of his 2-pt attempts were assisted on, and 84% of his 3-pt attempts were assisted on, who do you think was the one passing him the ball? Perkins? Lol.. Basically, Westbrook is the only player on the team who moves the ball.. Not sure how he isn’t doing his job as a point guard.

The biggest problem with OKC is iso, iso, iso.. Every player on the team has the same damn role, only difference is how large or how small that role is. Part of the blame is Brook’s, part is Westbrook, part is Durant, their needs to be some changes.. To make matters worse, not one player on that team understands how to move without the ball. Even mister MVP looks clueless as to how to get himself open.. Go post up two feet beyond the 3 point line and everyone just clear? That’s if he can even get the ball. Everyone just expects Westbrook to dribble directly over to him and hand it to him? Then what? Nobody else will touch it after unless a double comes. Everyone wants to say it’s as simple as just get the ball to Durant more and more.. Why? So he can take more shots (led the league), raise his usage (led the league), and likely drop his efficiency, give him more difficult looks.. You guys want to turn Durant into Kobe? Because that’s what it sounds like everyone is asking for.

Does Westbrook screw up? Yes. Does he get out of control? Yes. Does he take a couple bad shots a night? Yes. Could he find a slightly better balance between scoring and giving the ball to Durant? Maybe... But that definitely is not this teams problem, or even close to what’s holding them back.. Why does Durant have immunity? Are people who are fans of OKC blinded that he also takes terrible shots at times? Are people listening to the media and not watching their playoff games? Am I the only person here who saw Westbrook being the biggest factor in avoiding a first round loss to the Grizz? Is it purely because it’s “okay” for a small forward to take numerous, contested, early clock, deep jumpers but not “okay” if you’re a point guard? How is it more irresponsible of a point guard to make poor plays than it is for the league MVP to make poor plays? More irresponsible for Westbrook to make a bad play than the team’s best player doing the same, and also not correcting the issue from either of them? Why are so many people blinded to just one side of the issue?

[ojandpizza]

Re: 12/16 - 12/23 Games Discussion Thread

Found the stat I said I couldn't find, while on he court Westbrook accounted for 52% of the Thunders assists in the playoffs, Chris Paul 53% of the Clippers, Curry 38% of the Warriors, Lillard 41%, Parker 33%..


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[23]

Re: 12/16 - 12/23 Games Discussion Thread

Stop trying to prove everything with stats man. You know good and well that isnt the end all be all indicator and you're killing the game thread again

[ojandpizza]

Re: 12/16 - 12/23 Games Discussion Thread

Stop trying to prove everything with stats man. You know good and well that isnt the end all be all indicator and you're killing the game thread again

Stats aren't the only answer, but neither is "Westbrook doesn't pass to Durant enough" when it's a biased, lazy, zero proof eye test.. My whole post wasn't stats anyways. And I didn't start the Westbrook discussion, I added to it.

I don't think I've killed anything. Games haven't started tonight yet, should move right along.


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[ProfessaPackMan]

Re: 12/16 - 12/23 Games Discussion Thread

Stats aren't killing the game threads(not that there's much discussion going on here anyway)it's the damn essays OJ be typing out especially when you're reading this on Tapatalk.

Ain't nobody got time for all that damn scrolling

[Checmate101]

Re: 12/16 - 12/23 Games Discussion Thread

Lets go Wizards, lets get that win in Miami tonight..we owe them one there anyway

[23]

Re: 12/16 - 12/23 Games Discussion Thread

Stats aren't killing the game threads(not that there's much discussion going on here anyway)it's the damn essays OJ be typing out especially when you're reading this on Tapatalk.

Ain't nobody got time for all that damn scrolling

Exactly which is where it was headed

[DamnYanks2]

Re: 12/16 - 12/23 Games Discussion Thread

Some of ya'll are just brutal on some of these players. So much hate in the nba threads, Westbrook has been getting killed in here forever.

[Checmate101]

Re: 12/16 - 12/23 Games Discussion Thread

WE have to pick it up on defense..no way in hell MIami should be shooting 60%

[d23x]

Re: 12/16 - 12/23 Games Discussion Thread

For 33 Wade is one of the smartest players in the league. Takes some of the easiest shots and his play making ability is underrated. Kobe should actually watch more Wade videos imo. He wouldn't have to jack up 30+ shots a game to just get 30 points.

[Checmate101]

Re: 12/16 - 12/23 Games Discussion Thread

can we please put Pierce on Wade...

[d23x]

Re: 12/16 - 12/23 Games Discussion Thread

Spo has to stop this trapping style of D and just play straight up d. Birdman on Beal should never happen and we're lucky Beal missed the shot.

[Checmate101]

Re: 12/16 - 12/23 Games Discussion Thread

Big Shot John..