NBA Season 2014-2015

[Fafnir]

Westbrook's performance this month is exactly why OKC's brass didn't take the terrible advice of Rondo trumpeters here who swear that he'd be better for the Thunder than Westbrook.  He's carrying that team in ways of which Rondo could never dream.

No one ever denied that Westbrook is a stud and no one can argue that Rondo can carry a team the way he can.  But the question is who would work better with a healthy Durant and Scott Brooks' pitiful offense?

When Westbrook and Durant have both been on the court this season, OKC hasn't exactly been tearing up the league.

Mike

I think when Ibaka/Durant/Westbrook are on the court the Thunder are something like +11 per 48 minutes. Which is number one seed quality play.

Their issue is that Durant can't stay on the court this year and that they sink without their best trio on the floor. Which Brooks aggrevates by taking both KD/WB off at the same time for long stretches.

[PhoSita]

The Thunder need a new coach.

Also as much credit as Presti deserves for putting together Westbrook / Durant / Ibaka in the first place, he hasn't done a very good job putting together a supporting cast for the team since then.  That has put too much of a burden on the stars to make up the difference.

[MBunge]

Except OKC's best record and statistical lineups this season have been with both Durant and Westbrook on the court.  And this is with a Kevin Durant who's been injured/hobbled more often than not.  I can't get how anyone can still watch OKC in the year 2015 and think they would be better off with Rondo in place of Westbrook.

It's like people are really still clinging to this notion of Westbrook not being a point guard.

Wow, you mean they win better with both guys than with just one?  Who would have thunk it?

The question is would the team be better, especially in the playoffs, with a player like Rondo who would allow Durant to be the dominant scorer instead of he and Westbrook fighting for the position as they have in the past within the confines of Brooks' high school offense.

Now, if Rondo is going to play as "meh" as he is this season, you go with Westbrook every time.  But some version of peak Rondo who can score a bit and is a great passer, rebounder, defender and big game player?

Mike

[Endless Paradise]

Wow, you mean they win better with both guys than with just one?  Who would have thunk it?

The question is would the team be better, especially in the playoffs, with a player like Rondo who would allow Durant to be the dominant scorer instead of he and Westbrook fighting for the position as they have in the past within the confines of Brooks' high school offense.

Did you watch last year's playoffs, when Durant was slumping (relative to his standards) and Westbrook was, by far, their best player?  Did you watch the 2013 playoffs when the Thunder sputtered when Westbrook went out with injury?

The answer to your question is an obvious "absolutely not."  The idea that these guys are "fighting" to be the alpha male is as dated as the Honeymooners.  If anything, Westbrook has deferred to a fault in close games this season by force-feeding a not-completely-healthy KD.

The Thunder need a new coach.

Also as much credit as Presti deserves for putting together Westbrook / Durant / Ibaka in the first place, he hasn't done a very good job putting together a supporting cast for the team since then.  That has put too much of a burden on the stars to make up the difference.

Yeah, I've gotten on Presti for his roster construction this season... but he pulled off arguably the best trade of the deadline, if not the season, last Thursday.  This is now the deepest Thunder team ever; OKC has never once had this many weapons.  All they need is KD to return without issue.

[D.o.s.]

Good post, EP.

[Endless Paradise]

Thank you.

[Who]

Garnett is getting a standing ovation from the T'Wolves crowd in his first game back with Minnesota. KG is starting tonight against the Wizards.

He looks excited to be back in Minnesota.

[BleedGreen1989]

Garnett is getting a standing ovation from the T'Wolves crowd. He is starting tonight against the Wizards. KG looks excited to be back in Minnesota.

Garnett is like an ex girlfriend I just can't stand to witness with somebody else.

Haven't watched a ton of him since he left, but I love the return to Minnesota.

[Who]

Wizards putting a beating down on Minnesota early. 13-1 start.

Garnett had a nice block on Nene inside. Minnesota haven't looked so good on offense. Wiggins has been impressive in patches. Attacked off the dribble. Posted up. Nice to see Wiggins being aggressive and trying to create.

Payne in for KG now midway through 1st quarter. I have liked what I have seen from Payne since joining the Wolves. He is a rangy defender. Good size (6-10) and very long. Good quickness and mobility. Good physical tools to become quality defensive player. Engaged on defense. Rebounds the ball very well. Stretch four on offense. Hasn't shot the ball well so far but that will come with time. Payne has very good role player potential. I think he can be a starting quality PF in time.

It's 18-3 now to Washington. 18-7 after a nice dunk by Wiggins and putback by Pekovic.

[Eddie20]

Garnett is getting a standing ovation from the T'Wolves crowd. He is starting tonight against the Wizards. KG looks excited to be back in Minnesota.

Garnett is like an ex girlfriend I just can't stand to witness with somebody else.

Haven't watched a ton of him since he left, but I love the return to Minnesota.

That's a great analogy. TP!

Letting go seems part of your wiring. 

[Who]

Dragic struggling again for Miami. Haslem and Whiteside do not provide enough spacing. Same problem with Wade and Deng on the wing.

Looks like Dragic misses Phoenix's free flowing offense.

[Who]

KG back in for Minnesota. Played the first 5 minutes of the first quarter and now the last 5 minutes before halftime. Looks like he'll be getting around 20mpg for Minnesota.

Minnesota have clawed their way back in while KG was on the bench. Garnett with another miss. He is 0-3 now. Ah, there we go. 18 footer right wing. First basket for KG on his return to Minnesota. Beautiful bounce pass by KG from right elbow to Pekovic cutting from left side of paint. KG has certainly got the crowd pumped up. Minnesota a bit unlucky here not to have taken the lead. They have failed to take advantage of a few opportunities (scoreless on 2 steals by Rubio) here. Oh, Garnett blocks a three pointer from the corner to end the 1st half. Crowd going wild.

Third quarter

KG rips down defensive board on one end, Rubio finds a cutting KG with a bounce pass for a layup on the other end. Wolves up 5. Timeout Wizards. Announcer said KG is 2nd All-Time in defensive rebounds (didn't count whether defense or offense prior until 1974 so no Russell / Wilt). KG goes out at 5 minute mark again. Wolves up 7.

This is the most energetic I have seen T'Wolves fans since KG left the team. They have been fantastic tonight. Night and day from crowd noise earlier in season.

Great clip of KG giving advice to Payne on the bench. Now KG is talking to LaVine. Both guys listening intently to whatever advice KG is giving them. Wolves up 11 now with 5 minutes left in the 3rd quarter. Wizards slumping (mentally and physically).

Wiggins taking some difficult step back jumpers off the dribble from 20 feet out. He has at least 4 of those types of shots already tonight (almost half his total shots). Wiggins is great in transition and as a cutter. Good post player. Outside of that, he seems far too reliant on contested jump-shots off the dribble. Doesn't go past his defender as often as someone with his explosive quickness and athleticism should. Settles for jumpers.

[Who]

Miami forced to go small to open up their offense late in the game

PG: Dragic
OG: Chalmers
SF: Wade
PF: Deng
 C: Whiteside

They have a serious lack of shooting ability when they stay big.

[slamtheking]

sixers at the half:
12-37 FGs -- 19 TOs  -- 32 pts

NBA should strip them of their first round pick for putting a putrid product on the floor and making a mockery of the league

[RebusRankin]

Garnett is getting a standing ovation from the T'Wolves crowd. He is starting tonight against the Wizards. KG looks excited to be back in Minnesota.

Garnett is like an ex girlfriend I just can't stand to witness with somebody else.

Haven't watched a ton of him since he left, but I love the return to Minnesota.

KG is a Timberwolf, despite his years in Green.

Best game I ever saw live was Game 2 WCF in 04 when they beat LA.