The Oklahoma City Thunder led the NBA in blown fourth quarter leads last season and Kevin Durant wanted to play within an offense that had better ball movement and easier scoring chances.
Despite a coaching change from Scott Brooks to Billy Donovan, the offense often stalled. Durant and Russell Westbrook were a powerful offensive duo but they didn't always make each other better."Ultimately he got frustrated and felt that they had plateaued," said a person with insight into Durant's thought process. "[Donovan] came in, and he still had the same issues that he had with Russ under Scotty. The offense didn't change much. He still had to take a ton of contested shots every game; and that's when he had the ball at all."
The Warriors have been one of the NBA's best passing teams for several seasons and their system is about setting up great shots instead of merely settling for good ones.
"He's never going to have a game in Golden State where Steve Kerr has to say at halftime, 'You guys need to get Kevin the ball,' which happened in OKC," the same person said.
http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/242...
The article is somewhat flawed because much of the "evidence" is based on people that are supposedly in Durant's circle....but it does validate widely circulated narratives about Westbrook and his myopic play. And clearly some of it must be true since Durant decided to leave a perennial contender that was just one game shy of being NBA Finals favorites.
That being said, is Russell Westbrook really the guy we want to pursue in 2017? If his ego was so out-of-control with a star like Durant, what will happen when he's playing next to inferior stars in Melo and (hopefully) KP? What implications will his game have on KP's growth and development moving forward?
For me, passing on Westbrook is an easy decision if my goal is to build a real winner. I view him as a cancer and empty stats guy in the vein of a suped-up Steve Francis or, to a lesser extent, Stephon Marbury.
People make a lot of assumptions but I don't think Phil is actually targeting Westbrook. Westbrook is a great individual talent but like Harden it's hard to build a championship team around them. What you might have to do is the old Iverson approach where you surround him with role players that can defend, rebound at a high level and shoot from 3. I don't know but that's all I can think of.
I'd guess that CP3 would be first in line if Rose does not pan out.
NardDogNation wrote:And clearly some of it must be true since Durant decided to leave a perennial contender that was just one game shy of being NBA Finals favorites. For me, passing on Westbrook is an easy decision if my goal is to build a real winner. I view him as a cancer and empty stats guy in the vein of a suped-up Steve Francis or, to a lesser extent, Stephon Marbury.
That cancerous, empty stats guy led a team that was up 3-1 and had a 7 point lead with 5 mins up 3-2, mins away from being the Finals favorite.
Can't have it both ways.
martin wrote:I'd guess that CP3 would be first in line if Rose does not pan out.
Seems more logical, and we all know that he and Anthony are good friends- He might be more reasonable in terms of money if he was coming to play with Melo.
martin wrote:I'd guess that CP3 would be first in line if Rose does not pan out.
I did mention the same thing earlier Martin. Agreed.
I think it's incorrect to pursue Paul before Westbrook.
I know he's had a tough run with injuries but that could be the clippers curse. I love cp3's game and competitive fire. With him melo and noah that would be a fiery 3 to deal with for most teams
Cartman718 wrote:I know he's had a tough run with injuries but that could be the clippers curse. I love cp3's game and competitive fire. With him melo and noah that would be a fiery 3 to deal with for most teams
I thought cp3 had a great run last year, but
Can we get some youth please?
Knickoftime wrote:NardDogNation wrote:And clearly some of it must be true since Durant decided to leave a perennial contender that was just one game shy of being NBA Finals favorites. For me, passing on Westbrook is an easy decision if my goal is to build a real winner. I view him as a cancer and empty stats guy in the vein of a suped-up Steve Francis or, to a lesser extent, Stephon Marbury.
That cancerous, empty stats guy led a team that was up 3-1 and had a 7 point lead with 5 mins up 3-2, mins away from being the Finals favorite.
Can't have it both ways.
....cause Kevin Durant and a slew of very talented complimentary players had nothing to do with it....
NardDogNation wrote:Knickoftime wrote:NardDogNation wrote:And clearly some of it must be true since Durant decided to leave a perennial contender that was just one game shy of being NBA Finals favorites. For me, passing on Westbrook is an easy decision if my goal is to build a real winner. I view him as a cancer and empty stats guy in the vein of a suped-up Steve Francis or, to a lesser extent, Stephon Marbury.
That cancerous, empty stats guy led a team that was up 3-1 and had a 7 point lead with 5 mins up 3-2, mins away from being the Finals favorite.
Can't have it both ways.
....cause Kevin Durant and a slew of very talented complimentary players had nothing to do with it....
I did like the way Westbrook played and felt he just ran out of gas at the end.
martin wrote:I'd guess that CP3 would be first in line if Rose does not pan out.
That's my guess too. I am hoping that Rose pans out so we don't have to pursue the older CP3 or the erratic Westbrook and can instead focus on loading up the bench and finding guys who can help cut down on our older starter's minutes.
Knixkik wrote:martin wrote:I'd guess that CP3 would be first in line if Rose does not pan out.
That's my guess too. I am hoping that Rose pans out so we don't have to pursue the older CP3 or the erratic Westbrook and can instead focus on loading up the bench and finding guys who can help cut down on our older starter's minutes.
Even if Rose has a good/healthy year I wouldn't keep him longterm. Too much risk. Next year will be a big FA class so it will be interesting to see who we get. We also have 3 draft picks too.
NardDogNation wrote:The Oklahoma City Thunder led the NBA in blown fourth quarter leads last season and Kevin Durant wanted to play within an offense that had better ball movement and easier scoring chances.
Despite a coaching change from Scott Brooks to Billy Donovan, the offense often stalled. Durant and Russell Westbrook were a powerful offensive duo but they didn't always make each other better."Ultimately he got frustrated and felt that they had plateaued," said a person with insight into Durant's thought process. "[Donovan] came in, and he still had the same issues that he had with Russ under Scotty. The offense didn't change much. He still had to take a ton of contested shots every game; and that's when he had the ball at all."
The Warriors have been one of the NBA's best passing teams for several seasons and their system is about setting up great shots instead of merely settling for good ones.
"He's never going to have a game in Golden State where Steve Kerr has to say at halftime, 'You guys need to get Kevin the ball,' which happened in OKC," the same person said.
http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/242...
The article is somewhat flawed because much of the "evidence" is based on people that are supposedly in Durant's circle....but it does validate widely circulated narratives about Westbrook and his myopic play. And clearly some of it must be true since Durant decided to leave a perennial contender that was just one game shy of being NBA Finals favorites.
That being said, is Russell Westbrook really the guy we want to pursue in 2017? If his ego was so out-of-control with a star like Durant, what will happen when he's playing next to inferior stars in Melo and (hopefully) KP? What implications will his game have on KP's growth and development moving forward?
For me, passing on Westbrook is an easy decision if my goal is to build a real winner. I view him as a cancer and empty stats guy in the vein of a suped-up Steve Francis or, to a lesser extent, Stephon Marbury.
I would say you have not viewed him very much. He's a top 5 player in the NBA
Westbrook did spazz out a few times.
They did have GSW on the ropes.
CP3 and the Clipps are not as accomplished as Westbrook's Thunder.
WE assume the past will continue? CP3 getting a bit old and breaks down in the playoffs two years in a row. Westbrook still has a lot of miles on his odometer.
question is, can another coach/Teammates fix Westbrook?
I don't care about Westbrook's flaws...when this guy beasts he's on another level.
NardDogNation wrote:Knickoftime wrote:NardDogNation wrote:And clearly some of it must be true since Durant decided to leave a perennial contender that was just one game shy of being NBA Finals favorites. For me, passing on Westbrook is an easy decision if my goal is to build a real winner. I view him as a cancer and empty stats guy in the vein of a suped-up Steve Francis or, to a lesser extent, Stephon Marbury.
That cancerous, empty stats guy led a team that was up 3-1 and had a 7 point lead with 5 mins up 3-2, mins away from being the Finals favorite.
Can't have it both ways.
....cause Kevin Durant and a slew of very talented complimentary players had nothing to do with it....
Oh course they did. Who implied otherwise.
The point is Russell Westbrook was on a team with two main cogs that knocked off the Spurs, was 5 mins from knocking off the Warriors in 6 (a team that didn't miss Green for a game and had a Curry more like himself) and might have went on to be champions of they could have closed out game 6.
So how much of an empty stats cancer can he be?
franco12 wrote:Cartman718 wrote:I know he's had a tough run with injuries but that could be the clippers curse. I love cp3's game and competitive fire. With him melo and noah that would be a fiery 3 to deal with for most teams
I thought cp3 had a great run last year, but
Can we get some youth please?
I'm still awaiting the answer from a news report as to why we didn't go after Seth Curry
fishmike wrote:NardDogNation wrote:The Oklahoma City Thunder led the NBA in blown fourth quarter leads last season and Kevin Durant wanted to play within an offense that had better ball movement and easier scoring chances.
Despite a coaching change from Scott Brooks to Billy Donovan, the offense often stalled. Durant and Russell Westbrook were a powerful offensive duo but they didn't always make each other better."Ultimately he got frustrated and felt that they had plateaued," said a person with insight into Durant's thought process. "[Donovan] came in, and he still had the same issues that he had with Russ under Scotty. The offense didn't change much. He still had to take a ton of contested shots every game; and that's when he had the ball at all."
The Warriors have been one of the NBA's best passing teams for several seasons and their system is about setting up great shots instead of merely settling for good ones.
"He's never going to have a game in Golden State where Steve Kerr has to say at halftime, 'You guys need to get Kevin the ball,' which happened in OKC," the same person said.
http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/242...
The article is somewhat flawed because much of the "evidence" is based on people that are supposedly in Durant's circle....but it does validate widely circulated narratives about Westbrook and his myopic play. And clearly some of it must be true since Durant decided to leave a perennial contender that was just one game shy of being NBA Finals favorites.
That being said, is Russell Westbrook really the guy we want to pursue in 2017? If his ego was so out-of-control with a star like Durant, what will happen when he's playing next to inferior stars in Melo and (hopefully) KP? What implications will his game have on KP's growth and development moving forward?
For me, passing on Westbrook is an easy decision if my goal is to build a real winner. I view him as a cancer and empty stats guy in the vein of a suped-up Steve Francis or, to a lesser extent, Stephon Marbury.
I would say you have not viewed him very much. He's a top 5 player in the NBA
He contributes pretty stats...that also contributes to an offense that had some of the least ball movement in the league and some of the poorest execution I've seen down the stretch. The guy is no doubt individually talented but this is a team game and he's no team player. I don't understand how the same people that belittle Rajon Rondo for the same offenses, continually give Westbrook a pass.
If all we had was Melo, then I'd be willing to throw shit at the wall to see if it sticks. But with KP in the fold, his development is paramount to any decision-making process we undertake. And in my opinion, Westbrook's attitude and general self-centeredness would hinder/handicap that development. That being said, I'd pass and elect to sign a 32 year old Chris Paul- if at all possible.
NardDogNation wrote:fishmike wrote:NardDogNation wrote:The Oklahoma City Thunder led the NBA in blown fourth quarter leads last season and Kevin Durant wanted to play within an offense that had better ball movement and easier scoring chances.
Despite a coaching change from Scott Brooks to Billy Donovan, the offense often stalled. Durant and Russell Westbrook were a powerful offensive duo but they didn't always make each other better."Ultimately he got frustrated and felt that they had plateaued," said a person with insight into Durant's thought process. "[Donovan] came in, and he still had the same issues that he had with Russ under Scotty. The offense didn't change much. He still had to take a ton of contested shots every game; and that's when he had the ball at all."
The Warriors have been one of the NBA's best passing teams for several seasons and their system is about setting up great shots instead of merely settling for good ones.
"He's never going to have a game in Golden State where Steve Kerr has to say at halftime, 'You guys need to get Kevin the ball,' which happened in OKC," the same person said.
http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/242...
The article is somewhat flawed because much of the "evidence" is based on people that are supposedly in Durant's circle....but it does validate widely circulated narratives about Westbrook and his myopic play. And clearly some of it must be true since Durant decided to leave a perennial contender that was just one game shy of being NBA Finals favorites.
That being said, is Russell Westbrook really the guy we want to pursue in 2017? If his ego was so out-of-control with a star like Durant, what will happen when he's playing next to inferior stars in Melo and (hopefully) KP? What implications will his game have on KP's growth and development moving forward?
For me, passing on Westbrook is an easy decision if my goal is to build a real winner. I view him as a cancer and empty stats guy in the vein of a suped-up Steve Francis or, to a lesser extent, Stephon Marbury.
I would say you have not viewed him very much. He's a top 5 player in the NBA
He contributes pretty stats...that also contributes to an offense that had some of the least ball movement in the league and some of the poorest execution I've seen down the stretch. The guy is no doubt individually talented but this is a team game and he's no team player.
Thunder beat the Spurs, the ultimate team team.
Again, how bad can it be?
Knickoftime wrote:NardDogNation wrote:fishmike wrote:NardDogNation wrote:The Oklahoma City Thunder led the NBA in blown fourth quarter leads last season and Kevin Durant wanted to play within an offense that had better ball movement and easier scoring chances.
Despite a coaching change from Scott Brooks to Billy Donovan, the offense often stalled. Durant and Russell Westbrook were a powerful offensive duo but they didn't always make each other better."Ultimately he got frustrated and felt that they had plateaued," said a person with insight into Durant's thought process. "[Donovan] came in, and he still had the same issues that he had with Russ under Scotty. The offense didn't change much. He still had to take a ton of contested shots every game; and that's when he had the ball at all."
The Warriors have been one of the NBA's best passing teams for several seasons and their system is about setting up great shots instead of merely settling for good ones.
"He's never going to have a game in Golden State where Steve Kerr has to say at halftime, 'You guys need to get Kevin the ball,' which happened in OKC," the same person said.
http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/242...
The article is somewhat flawed because much of the "evidence" is based on people that are supposedly in Durant's circle....but it does validate widely circulated narratives about Westbrook and his myopic play. And clearly some of it must be true since Durant decided to leave a perennial contender that was just one game shy of being NBA Finals favorites.
That being said, is Russell Westbrook really the guy we want to pursue in 2017? If his ego was so out-of-control with a star like Durant, what will happen when he's playing next to inferior stars in Melo and (hopefully) KP? What implications will his game have on KP's growth and development moving forward?
For me, passing on Westbrook is an easy decision if my goal is to build a real winner. I view him as a cancer and empty stats guy in the vein of a suped-up Steve Francis or, to a lesser extent, Stephon Marbury.
I would say you have not viewed him very much. He's a top 5 player in the NBA
He contributes pretty stats...that also contributes to an offense that had some of the least ball movement in the league and some of the poorest execution I've seen down the stretch. The guy is no doubt individually talented but this is a team game and he's no team player.
Thunder beat the Spurs, the ultimate team team.
Again, how bad can it be?
yea... sorry just night buying. This has the feel of trying really hard to find a negative among all the positive. Yea shes hot, great personality, killer rack, likes dogs and comes with a trust fund... but damn, she burps like a dude. I mean cmon... Westbrook is a cancer? Wow.
