ESPN Rookie Class Top 50 Update
Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 6:48 pm
#1 Russel Westbrook - David Thorpe's Analysis
January 28, 2009
What separates Westbrook from the other guards in this class is his combination of athleticism and length, which translates into the makings of a premier defensive player. He's not there now, but it's easy to project him getting there soon.
Using his quickness and length, he can lock and trail on a shooter using a screen, which means Westbrook runs over the screener and behind the shooter. His extended arm can bother the shooter, and his teammate defending the screener has to offer just a hint of curl protection before Westbrook recovers. Since this is the Thunder, that does not happen often enough, so you may see Westbrook's man making shots while Westbrook is trailing the play.
Unless he's wrongly going over the top of the screen (meaning he's supposed to go under it on that play), it's not his fault if the shooter makes the shot. That shot is on the big who forgot to offer curl protection.
#29 Kyle Weaver - David Thorpe's Analysis
January 14, 2009
Weaver has appeared in 14 games this season, but the Thunder lost every one of those games until their win over the Bulls on Saturday. That's ironic because Weaver is the kind of player whom winning teams almost always have -- a player who takes good shots (and makes half of them) and can defend multiple positions. With Kevin Durant, Jeff Green, Westbrook, and now Nenad Krstic, the Thunder appear to have a set of talented core players. Weaver could be one of the glue guys who helps make the team special.
January 28, 2009
What separates Westbrook from the other guards in this class is his combination of athleticism and length, which translates into the makings of a premier defensive player. He's not there now, but it's easy to project him getting there soon.
Using his quickness and length, he can lock and trail on a shooter using a screen, which means Westbrook runs over the screener and behind the shooter. His extended arm can bother the shooter, and his teammate defending the screener has to offer just a hint of curl protection before Westbrook recovers. Since this is the Thunder, that does not happen often enough, so you may see Westbrook's man making shots while Westbrook is trailing the play.
Unless he's wrongly going over the top of the screen (meaning he's supposed to go under it on that play), it's not his fault if the shooter makes the shot. That shot is on the big who forgot to offer curl protection.
#29 Kyle Weaver - David Thorpe's Analysis
January 14, 2009
Weaver has appeared in 14 games this season, but the Thunder lost every one of those games until their win over the Bulls on Saturday. That's ironic because Weaver is the kind of player whom winning teams almost always have -- a player who takes good shots (and makes half of them) and can defend multiple positions. With Kevin Durant, Jeff Green, Westbrook, and now Nenad Krstic, the Thunder appear to have a set of talented core players. Weaver could be one of the glue guys who helps make the team special.
