Maybe the guy to trade for is... Westbrook?

[Big333223]

If you don't like Smart at $13M, you are going to HATE Westbrook at $40M.

This is a player who:

1) Makes less than 50% from inside the arc
2) Makes less than 33% from outside the arc
3) Makes less than 67% from the free throw line
4) Commits 5 turnovers per night
5) Will have the highest usage on your team

I actually like how hard the guy plays, but he's an absolute team wrecker on paper.

Yep. He's an absolutely unbelievable athlete. Incredibly competitor. He can do almost anything on the court as an individual. And he has no idea how to play with 4 other guys.

I wouldn't want him on my team.

[gouki88]

If you don't like Smart at $13M, you are going to HATE Westbrook at $40M.

This is a player who:

1) Makes less than 50% from inside the arc
2) Makes less than 33% from outside the arc
3) Makes less than 67% from the free throw line
4) Commits 5 turnovers per night
5) Will have the highest usage on your team

I actually like how hard the guy plays, but he's an absolute team wrecker on paper.

Yep. He's an absolutely unbelievable athlete. Incredibly competitor. He can do almost anything on the court as an individual. And he has no idea how to play with 4 other guys.

I wouldn't want him on my team.

He would be the GOAT in a 3v3 league

[LilRip]

Horrible. This Westbrook Renaissance as if he isn't someone who tanks his team year-in year-out when the games start to matter with horrible shooting, lazy defence and a preposterous amount of turnovers is silly.

He makes it his teams destiny to be an early-round exit and he drives other star players away. What a great guy to put alongside Tatum and Brown!

At least Kemba is someone people like being around and he costs about $10m less a year

While I don’t disagree with you, you could also argue that JT/JB have already chased Irving/Horford/Hayward out of town as well for one reason or another.

Given the fact that Horford and Hayward left because they got obscenely high contract offers elsewhere, I don't think you really could argue that. JT and JB didn't force Philly or Charlotte to overpay those two.

We've also seen guys like Kemba specify wanting to play alongside those two as a reason for signing here. Can't recall anyone thinking that about Westbrick

Well, Beal loves playing alongside Westbrook. And I assume it’s because RW does so much of the other stuff which lets Beal focus on his scoring.

I think Westbrook will be high usage but other stars have flourished beside him (like Beal, KD, etc). He’ll be the best facilitator we’ve had since... Rondo? And his 40M contract vs Walker’s 30M+ contract almost feels like a wash. You’re not getting cap flexibility while Walker is on the team and you’re not getting a prime prospect for Walker either.

His turnovers and 3pt shooting are definitely the worst aspects of his game, plus his occasional brain farts on defense. But unlike most players nowadays, at least he doesn’t shoot a ton of threes despite not being good at them. And obvs, he brings a heck of a lot to the floor too like effort, playmaking, pushing the pace, getting to the line, rebounding, etc.

[gouki88]

Horrible. This Westbrook Renaissance as if he isn't someone who tanks his team year-in year-out when the games start to matter with horrible shooting, lazy defence and a preposterous amount of turnovers is silly.

He makes it his teams destiny to be an early-round exit and he drives other star players away. What a great guy to put alongside Tatum and Brown!

At least Kemba is someone people like being around and he costs about $10m less a year

While I don’t disagree with you, you could also argue that JT/JB have already chased Irving/Horford/Hayward out of town as well for one reason or another.

Given the fact that Horford and Hayward left because they got obscenely high contract offers elsewhere, I don't think you really could argue that. JT and JB didn't force Philly or Charlotte to overpay those two.

We've also seen guys like Kemba specify wanting to play alongside those two as a reason for signing here. Can't recall anyone thinking that about Westbrick

Well, Beal loves playing alongside Westbrook. And I assume it’s because RW does so much of the other stuff which lets Beal focus on his scoring.

I think Westbrook will be high usage but other stars have flourished beside him (like Beal, KD, etc). He’ll be the best facilitator we’ve had since... Rondo? And his 40M contract vs Walker’s 30M+ contract almost feels like a wash. You’re not getting cap flexibility while Walker is on the team and you’re not getting a prime prospect for Walker either.

His turnovers and 3pt shooting are definitely the worst aspects of his game, plus his occasional brain farts on defense. But unlike most players nowadays, at least he doesn’t shoot a ton of threes despite not being good at them. And obvs, he brings a heck of a lot to the floor too like effort, playmaking, pushing the pace, getting to the line, rebounding, etc.

I don't know what you expect Beal to say given he didn't choose to play with him. I don't think anything was going to stop Beal from getting a lot of shots after last season.

Other stars have flourished beside him, but those teams have routinely failed to meet expectations. It could just be a coincidence that every single one of Westbrook's teams flop in the playoffs, as he does himself, but I don't think it is.

[LilRip]

Horrible. This Westbrook Renaissance as if he isn't someone who tanks his team year-in year-out when the games start to matter with horrible shooting, lazy defence and a preposterous amount of turnovers is silly.

He makes it his teams destiny to be an early-round exit and he drives other star players away. What a great guy to put alongside Tatum and Brown!

At least Kemba is someone people like being around and he costs about $10m less a year

While I don’t disagree with you, you could also argue that JT/JB have already chased Irving/Horford/Hayward out of town as well for one reason or another.

Given the fact that Horford and Hayward left because they got obscenely high contract offers elsewhere, I don't think you really could argue that. JT and JB didn't force Philly or Charlotte to overpay those two.

We've also seen guys like Kemba specify wanting to play alongside those two as a reason for signing here. Can't recall anyone thinking that about Westbrick

Well, Beal loves playing alongside Westbrook. And I assume it’s because RW does so much of the other stuff which lets Beal focus on his scoring.

I think Westbrook will be high usage but other stars have flourished beside him (like Beal, KD, etc). He’ll be the best facilitator we’ve had since... Rondo? And his 40M contract vs Walker’s 30M+ contract almost feels like a wash. You’re not getting cap flexibility while Walker is on the team and you’re not getting a prime prospect for Walker either.

His turnovers and 3pt shooting are definitely the worst aspects of his game, plus his occasional brain farts on defense. But unlike most players nowadays, at least he doesn’t shoot a ton of threes despite not being good at them. And obvs, he brings a heck of a lot to the floor too like effort, playmaking, pushing the pace, getting to the line, rebounding, etc.

I don't know what you expect Beal to say given he didn't choose to play with him. I don't think anything was going to stop Beal from getting a lot of shots after last season.

Other stars have flourished beside him, but those teams have routinely failed to meet expectations. It could just be a coincidence that every single one of Westbrook's teams flop in the playoffs, as he does himself, but I don't think it is.

He could say nothing, like when asked about John Wall.

And idk, I don’t subscribe to that logic. By that logic, we can lump in KG pre-Boston as pretty much like Westbrook (former MVP, perennial loser). Same goes for CP3. I mean, has CP3 even sniffed the WCF across NOH, Clips, Rox? How about Harden, another former MVP and constant playoff loser? The only time Harden went far was when he got to the Finals coming off the bench with (yup) Westbrook and KD. How about TMac (who never got out of the first round) or our very own Kemba?

Again, I don’t think Westbrook is a perfect player or some MVP candidate. But we’re not getting that caliber of a player for a package centered around Kemba Walker anyway. I mean, do you really think teams are lining up and looking to part with their prime all stars for Kemba, his large contract, and suspect knee?

You’re right though that if Westbrook is the best player on your team, you’re likely not a contender. If he’s the third best player though? Especially on a team as lazy/low energy and averse to the FT line as the C’s? That might be something

[Rikibellevie]

How he looks now this thread isn't realistic anymore. Wizzards and him should have totally colapse (and him too)  to open a possible trade for him. I guess this season ending close also the possibility of trade for Beal this summer.

Whatever I don't think he would have been a good option. Still a great player, HOF, better than Kemba... But ball eater, bad shooter and eratic defenser. We have enough of this problems.

[gouki88]

Horrible. This Westbrook Renaissance as if he isn't someone who tanks his team year-in year-out when the games start to matter with horrible shooting, lazy defence and a preposterous amount of turnovers is silly.

He makes it his teams destiny to be an early-round exit and he drives other star players away. What a great guy to put alongside Tatum and Brown!

At least Kemba is someone people like being around and he costs about $10m less a year

While I don’t disagree with you, you could also argue that JT/JB have already chased Irving/Horford/Hayward out of town as well for one reason or another.

Given the fact that Horford and Hayward left because they got obscenely high contract offers elsewhere, I don't think you really could argue that. JT and JB didn't force Philly or Charlotte to overpay those two.

We've also seen guys like Kemba specify wanting to play alongside those two as a reason for signing here. Can't recall anyone thinking that about Westbrick

Well, Beal loves playing alongside Westbrook. And I assume it’s because RW does so much of the other stuff which lets Beal focus on his scoring.

I think Westbrook will be high usage but other stars have flourished beside him (like Beal, KD, etc). He’ll be the best facilitator we’ve had since... Rondo? And his 40M contract vs Walker’s 30M+ contract almost feels like a wash. You’re not getting cap flexibility while Walker is on the team and you’re not getting a prime prospect for Walker either.

His turnovers and 3pt shooting are definitely the worst aspects of his game, plus his occasional brain farts on defense. But unlike most players nowadays, at least he doesn’t shoot a ton of threes despite not being good at them. And obvs, he brings a heck of a lot to the floor too like effort, playmaking, pushing the pace, getting to the line, rebounding, etc.

I don't know what you expect Beal to say given he didn't choose to play with him. I don't think anything was going to stop Beal from getting a lot of shots after last season.

Other stars have flourished beside him, but those teams have routinely failed to meet expectations. It could just be a coincidence that every single one of Westbrook's teams flop in the playoffs, as he does himself, but I don't think it is.

He could say nothing, like when asked about John Wall.

And idk, I don’t subscribe to that logic. By that logic, we can lump in KG pre-Boston as pretty much like Westbrook (former MVP, perennial loser). Same goes for CP3. I mean, has CP3 even sniffed the WCF across NOH, Clips, Rox? How about Harden, another former MVP and constant playoff loser? The only time Harden went far was when he got to the Finals coming off the bench with (yup) Westbrook and KD. How about TMac (who never got out of the first round) or our very own Kemba?

Again, I don’t think Westbrook is a perfect player or some MVP candidate. But we’re not getting that caliber of a player for a package centered around Kemba Walker anyway. I mean, do you really think teams are lining up and looking to part with their prime all stars for Kemba, his large contract, and suspect knee?

You’re right though that if Westbrook is the best player on your team, you’re likely not a contender. If he’s the third best player though? Especially on a team as lazy/low energy and averse to the FT line as the C’s? That might be something

No, we cannot. As soon as KG left the most mismanaged team of the 2000s he became a champion. He made that Wolves team a playoff team in spite of how badly they were coached and managed.
Paul has had the same criticism of being a perennial bridesmaid for almost his entire career, up until the last two seasons or so. So has Harden.

I just disagree. Westbrook will once again tank his team in the playoffs this year like he has every year of his career.

[Moranis]

Horrible. This Westbrook Renaissance as if he isn't someone who tanks his team year-in year-out when the games start to matter with horrible shooting, lazy defence and a preposterous amount of turnovers is silly.

He makes it his teams destiny to be an early-round exit and he drives other star players away. What a great guy to put alongside Tatum and Brown!

At least Kemba is someone people like being around and he costs about $10m less a year

While I don’t disagree with you, you could also argue that JT/JB have already chased Irving/Horford/Hayward out of town as well for one reason or another.

Given the fact that Horford and Hayward left because they got obscenely high contract offers elsewhere, I don't think you really could argue that. JT and JB didn't force Philly or Charlotte to overpay those two.

We've also seen guys like Kemba specify wanting to play alongside those two as a reason for signing here. Can't recall anyone thinking that about Westbrick

Well, Beal loves playing alongside Westbrook. And I assume it’s because RW does so much of the other stuff which lets Beal focus on his scoring.

I think Westbrook will be high usage but other stars have flourished beside him (like Beal, KD, etc). He’ll be the best facilitator we’ve had since... Rondo? And his 40M contract vs Walker’s 30M+ contract almost feels like a wash. You’re not getting cap flexibility while Walker is on the team and you’re not getting a prime prospect for Walker either.

His turnovers and 3pt shooting are definitely the worst aspects of his game, plus his occasional brain farts on defense. But unlike most players nowadays, at least he doesn’t shoot a ton of threes despite not being good at them. And obvs, he brings a heck of a lot to the floor too like effort, playmaking, pushing the pace, getting to the line, rebounding, etc.

I don't know what you expect Beal to say given he didn't choose to play with him. I don't think anything was going to stop Beal from getting a lot of shots after last season.

Other stars have flourished beside him, but those teams have routinely failed to meet expectations. It could just be a coincidence that every single one of Westbrook's teams flop in the playoffs, as he does himself, but I don't think it is.

He could say nothing, like when asked about John Wall.

And idk, I don’t subscribe to that logic. By that logic, we can lump in KG pre-Boston as pretty much like Westbrook (former MVP, perennial loser). Same goes for CP3. I mean, has CP3 even sniffed the WCF across NOH, Clips, Rox? How about Harden, another former MVP and constant playoff loser? The only time Harden went far was when he got to the Finals coming off the bench with (yup) Westbrook and KD. How about TMac (who never got out of the first round) or our very own Kemba?

Again, I don’t think Westbrook is a perfect player or some MVP candidate. But we’re not getting that caliber of a player for a package centered around Kemba Walker anyway. I mean, do you really think teams are lining up and looking to part with their prime all stars for Kemba, his large contract, and suspect knee?

You’re right though that if Westbrook is the best player on your team, you’re likely not a contender. If he’s the third best player though? Especially on a team as lazy/low energy and averse to the FT line as the C’s? That might be something

No, we cannot. As soon as KG left the most mismanaged team of the 2000s he became a champion. He made that Wolves team a playoff team in spite of how badly they were coached and managed.
Paul has had the same criticism of being a perennial bridesmaid for almost his entire career, up until the last two seasons or so. So has Harden.

I just disagree. Westbrook will once again tank his team in the playoffs this year like he has every year of his career.

That isn't exactly an accurate reflection of the playoff losing series.  Durant has just as many failures as Westbrook and the Thunder were often losing to the eventual NBA champion (first 3 trips to the playoffs they lost to the Lakers, Mavs, and Heat - all champs).  Heck the first time they didn't lose to the eventual champion was 2013 when they lost to the Grizzlies when Westbrook was hurt and didn't play.  In 14, they again lost to the eventual champion Spurs and Westbrook and Durant were pretty similar players overall but in the closeout game Russ was +11 and KD was -3.  They didn't make the playoffs in 15 when KD missed a lot of the season (they still won 45 games).  Lost to the Warriors in 16 in the WCF and it was again KD, not Russ, that came up smaller (Russ was better in games 5 and 6, while KD was better in 7 - the 3 games they lost after going up 3-1). KD then leaves town and the Thunder lost to the Rockets the next year but Russ averaged 37.4 p, 11.6 r, 10.8 a, and 2.4 s in the series.  Next year was the Paul George year, and Russ again out played his star counterpart in the playoffs.

So to recap, the KD/Russ Thunder lost to the eventual champion in 4 of the 5 series they played together and the 1 time they didn't was to a 73 win team that was the defending champion.  And in the majority of those playoff losing series, Russ outplayed Durant.  Because of their style of play, it is much easier to blame Russ, but the reality is, Durant was the reason the Thunder never won the title.  He was the big star that played well below his regular season numbers and averages in the biggest spots, not Westbrook.

[gouki88]

Horrible. This Westbrook Renaissance as if he isn't someone who tanks his team year-in year-out when the games start to matter with horrible shooting, lazy defence and a preposterous amount of turnovers is silly.

He makes it his teams destiny to be an early-round exit and he drives other star players away. What a great guy to put alongside Tatum and Brown!

At least Kemba is someone people like being around and he costs about $10m less a year

While I don’t disagree with you, you could also argue that JT/JB have already chased Irving/Horford/Hayward out of town as well for one reason or another.

Given the fact that Horford and Hayward left because they got obscenely high contract offers elsewhere, I don't think you really could argue that. JT and JB didn't force Philly or Charlotte to overpay those two.

We've also seen guys like Kemba specify wanting to play alongside those two as a reason for signing here. Can't recall anyone thinking that about Westbrick

Well, Beal loves playing alongside Westbrook. And I assume it’s because RW does so much of the other stuff which lets Beal focus on his scoring.

I think Westbrook will be high usage but other stars have flourished beside him (like Beal, KD, etc). He’ll be the best facilitator we’ve had since... Rondo? And his 40M contract vs Walker’s 30M+ contract almost feels like a wash. You’re not getting cap flexibility while Walker is on the team and you’re not getting a prime prospect for Walker either.

His turnovers and 3pt shooting are definitely the worst aspects of his game, plus his occasional brain farts on defense. But unlike most players nowadays, at least he doesn’t shoot a ton of threes despite not being good at them. And obvs, he brings a heck of a lot to the floor too like effort, playmaking, pushing the pace, getting to the line, rebounding, etc.

I don't know what you expect Beal to say given he didn't choose to play with him. I don't think anything was going to stop Beal from getting a lot of shots after last season.

Other stars have flourished beside him, but those teams have routinely failed to meet expectations. It could just be a coincidence that every single one of Westbrook's teams flop in the playoffs, as he does himself, but I don't think it is.

He could say nothing, like when asked about John Wall.

And idk, I don’t subscribe to that logic. By that logic, we can lump in KG pre-Boston as pretty much like Westbrook (former MVP, perennial loser). Same goes for CP3. I mean, has CP3 even sniffed the WCF across NOH, Clips, Rox? How about Harden, another former MVP and constant playoff loser? The only time Harden went far was when he got to the Finals coming off the bench with (yup) Westbrook and KD. How about TMac (who never got out of the first round) or our very own Kemba?

Again, I don’t think Westbrook is a perfect player or some MVP candidate. But we’re not getting that caliber of a player for a package centered around Kemba Walker anyway. I mean, do you really think teams are lining up and looking to part with their prime all stars for Kemba, his large contract, and suspect knee?

You’re right though that if Westbrook is the best player on your team, you’re likely not a contender. If he’s the third best player though? Especially on a team as lazy/low energy and averse to the FT line as the C’s? That might be something

No, we cannot. As soon as KG left the most mismanaged team of the 2000s he became a champion. He made that Wolves team a playoff team in spite of how badly they were coached and managed.
Paul has had the same criticism of being a perennial bridesmaid for almost his entire career, up until the last two seasons or so. So has Harden.

I just disagree. Westbrook will once again tank his team in the playoffs this year like he has every year of his career.

That isn't exactly an accurate reflection of the playoff losing series.  Durant has just as many failures as Westbrook and the Thunder were often losing to the eventual NBA champion (first 3 trips to the playoffs they lost to the Lakers, Mavs, and Heat - all champs).  Heck the first time they didn't lose to the eventual champion was 2013 when they lost to the Grizzlies when Westbrook was hurt and didn't play.  In 14, they again lost to the eventual champion Spurs and Westbrook and Durant were pretty similar players overall but in the closeout game Russ was +11 and KD was -3.  They didn't make the playoffs in 15 when KD missed a lot of the season (they still won 45 games).  Lost to the Warriors in 16 in the WCF and it was again KD, not Russ, that came up smaller (Russ was better in games 5 and 6, while KD was better in 7 - the 3 games they lost after going up 3-1). KD then leaves town and the Thunder lost to the Rockets the next year but Russ averaged 37.4 p, 11.6 r, 10.8 a, and 2.4 s in the series.  Next year was the Paul George year, and Russ again out played his star counterpart in the playoffs.

So to recap, the KD/Russ Thunder lost to the eventual champion in 4 of the 5 series they played together and the 1 time they didn't was to a 73 win team that was the defending champion.  And in the majority of those playoff losing series, Russ outplayed Durant.  Because of their style of play, it is much easier to blame Russ, but the reality is, Durant was the reason the Thunder never won the title.  He was the big star that played well below his regular season numbers and averages in the biggest spots, not Westbrook.

I don't think by any means Russ outplayed KD in losing series together. Russ has and always will put up weird box scores. But his scoring efficiency and inconsistent defence tanks his team time and again. We've also seen KD develop away from Russ - Russ has played the exact same way on his own, with PG and with Harden in the playoffs; elite stats on teams that lose earlier than they should.

I'm not going to get into this with you because it will just prove to be more tiresome than it's worth - there's no way I can convince you, nor you me.
Russ is trash

[Moranis]

Horrible. This Westbrook Renaissance as if he isn't someone who tanks his team year-in year-out when the games start to matter with horrible shooting, lazy defence and a preposterous amount of turnovers is silly.

He makes it his teams destiny to be an early-round exit and he drives other star players away. What a great guy to put alongside Tatum and Brown!

At least Kemba is someone people like being around and he costs about $10m less a year

While I don’t disagree with you, you could also argue that JT/JB have already chased Irving/Horford/Hayward out of town as well for one reason or another.

Given the fact that Horford and Hayward left because they got obscenely high contract offers elsewhere, I don't think you really could argue that. JT and JB didn't force Philly or Charlotte to overpay those two.

We've also seen guys like Kemba specify wanting to play alongside those two as a reason for signing here. Can't recall anyone thinking that about Westbrick

Well, Beal loves playing alongside Westbrook. And I assume it’s because RW does so much of the other stuff which lets Beal focus on his scoring.

I think Westbrook will be high usage but other stars have flourished beside him (like Beal, KD, etc). He’ll be the best facilitator we’ve had since... Rondo? And his 40M contract vs Walker’s 30M+ contract almost feels like a wash. You’re not getting cap flexibility while Walker is on the team and you’re not getting a prime prospect for Walker either.

His turnovers and 3pt shooting are definitely the worst aspects of his game, plus his occasional brain farts on defense. But unlike most players nowadays, at least he doesn’t shoot a ton of threes despite not being good at them. And obvs, he brings a heck of a lot to the floor too like effort, playmaking, pushing the pace, getting to the line, rebounding, etc.

I don't know what you expect Beal to say given he didn't choose to play with him. I don't think anything was going to stop Beal from getting a lot of shots after last season.

Other stars have flourished beside him, but those teams have routinely failed to meet expectations. It could just be a coincidence that every single one of Westbrook's teams flop in the playoffs, as he does himself, but I don't think it is.

He could say nothing, like when asked about John Wall.

And idk, I don’t subscribe to that logic. By that logic, we can lump in KG pre-Boston as pretty much like Westbrook (former MVP, perennial loser). Same goes for CP3. I mean, has CP3 even sniffed the WCF across NOH, Clips, Rox? How about Harden, another former MVP and constant playoff loser? The only time Harden went far was when he got to the Finals coming off the bench with (yup) Westbrook and KD. How about TMac (who never got out of the first round) or our very own Kemba?

Again, I don’t think Westbrook is a perfect player or some MVP candidate. But we’re not getting that caliber of a player for a package centered around Kemba Walker anyway. I mean, do you really think teams are lining up and looking to part with their prime all stars for Kemba, his large contract, and suspect knee?

You’re right though that if Westbrook is the best player on your team, you’re likely not a contender. If he’s the third best player though? Especially on a team as lazy/low energy and averse to the FT line as the C’s? That might be something

No, we cannot. As soon as KG left the most mismanaged team of the 2000s he became a champion. He made that Wolves team a playoff team in spite of how badly they were coached and managed.
Paul has had the same criticism of being a perennial bridesmaid for almost his entire career, up until the last two seasons or so. So has Harden.

I just disagree. Westbrook will once again tank his team in the playoffs this year like he has every year of his career.

That isn't exactly an accurate reflection of the playoff losing series.  Durant has just as many failures as Westbrook and the Thunder were often losing to the eventual NBA champion (first 3 trips to the playoffs they lost to the Lakers, Mavs, and Heat - all champs).  Heck the first time they didn't lose to the eventual champion was 2013 when they lost to the Grizzlies when Westbrook was hurt and didn't play.  In 14, they again lost to the eventual champion Spurs and Westbrook and Durant were pretty similar players overall but in the closeout game Russ was +11 and KD was -3.  They didn't make the playoffs in 15 when KD missed a lot of the season (they still won 45 games).  Lost to the Warriors in 16 in the WCF and it was again KD, not Russ, that came up smaller (Russ was better in games 5 and 6, while KD was better in 7 - the 3 games they lost after going up 3-1). KD then leaves town and the Thunder lost to the Rockets the next year but Russ averaged 37.4 p, 11.6 r, 10.8 a, and 2.4 s in the series.  Next year was the Paul George year, and Russ again out played his star counterpart in the playoffs.

So to recap, the KD/Russ Thunder lost to the eventual champion in 4 of the 5 series they played together and the 1 time they didn't was to a 73 win team that was the defending champion.  And in the majority of those playoff losing series, Russ outplayed Durant.  Because of their style of play, it is much easier to blame Russ, but the reality is, Durant was the reason the Thunder never won the title.  He was the big star that played well below his regular season numbers and averages in the biggest spots, not Westbrook.

I don't think by any means Russ outplayed KD in losing series together. Russ has and always will put up weird box scores. But his scoring efficiency and inconsistent defence tanks his team time and again. We've also seen KD develop away from Russ - Russ has played the exact same way on his own, with PG and with Harden in the playoffs; elite stats on teams that lose earlier than they should.

I'm not going to get into this with you because it will just prove to be more tiresome than it's worth - there's no way I can convince you, nor you me.
Russ is trash

I agree that Russ' game leaves a lot to be desired though most of that centers on his Smart like inability to not be able to not shoot the 3, but the point I was making is that Russ has generally performed in the playoffs like he has in the regular season. And in the regular season his teams win just fine. It is Durant whose numbers and efficiency cratered in the vast majority of those playoff losing series. Even in the loss to the Grizzlies when Russ didn't play, Durant's TS% was only 53.1, during the regular season he was 64.7 (his eFG%'s were 46.5 against Grizzlies and 55.9 during season). And that is a pretty consistent theme with the Thunder.  The series they have lost, it was Durant who didn't perform anywhere near his regular season efficiency (the Heat was the notable exception, Durant was excellent in that series, the Heat were just a better team).  And as I said, when they both played, their playoff losses were to the eventual NBA champion 4 of the 5 seasons and the other was the winningest team in basketball history.  It isn't like they flamed out in the 1st round.  They were losing to elite teams.

I just don't buy the notion that you can't win with Russ.  Again I'd only take on his contract if Washington was giving up some sort of prime young player (Deni, Rui, and to a lesser extent Bryant) because that contract is massive.  I would not however be worried about Russ not playing winning basketball since Russ' teams win and win a lot.

[GreenlyGreeny]

If trading for Westbrook is the answer, what is the question?

[SHAQATTACK]

No ........not till he is a bench person ,small doses is plenty .  He is much like Melo , just never enough team player and can’t be Bron or Jordon or Koby and carry the team

[LilRip]

If trading for Westbrook is the answer, what is the question?

Here are some questions:
1. Is Kemba the answer at PG? And if not, what can you get for him?
2. If we’re not making a big roster change (or making a coaching change), is this team good enough to win it all? And if not, what would you do?

The Westbrook option for me means trading neither of the Jays, keeping CBS, shoring up the PG position with size and shaking up the attitude/culture of the team towards something more fiery and forceful. His contract is terrible but I mean Kemba is pretty much on a max deal too right? They clear the books at the same time too

[slamtheking]

If trading for Westbrook is the answer, what is the question?

Here are some questions:
1. Is Kemba the answer at PG? And if not, what can you get for him?
2. If we’re not making a big roster change (or making a coaching change), is this team good enough to win it all? And if not, what would you do?

The Westbrook option for me means trading neither of the Jays, keeping CBS, shoring up the PG position with size and shaking up the attitude/culture of the team towards something more fiery and forceful. His contract is terrible but I mean Kemba is pretty much on a max deal too right? They clear the books at the same time too

it's not really clearing the books with Westbrook making a lot more money than Kemba over the same stretch.  if he works out, you're looking at a resigning him for a much higher cost than Kemba too.

[LilRip]

If trading for Westbrook is the answer, what is the question?

Here are some questions:
1. Is Kemba the answer at PG? And if not, what can you get for him?
2. If we’re not making a big roster change (or making a coaching change), is this team good enough to win it all? And if not, what would you do?

The Westbrook option for me means trading neither of the Jays, keeping CBS, shoring up the PG position with size and shaking up the attitude/culture of the team towards something more fiery and forceful. His contract is terrible but I mean Kemba is pretty much on a max deal too right? They clear the books at the same time too

it's not really clearing the books with Westbrook making a lot more money than Kemba over the same stretch.  if he works out, you're looking at a resigning him for a much higher cost than Kemba too.

I can’t imagine a scenario where resigning Kemba gives us much flexibility though. It seems like we’ll be capped out regardless, whether we want to keep Westbrook in this hypothetical or we want to keep Kemba (and Smart).