Westbrook's improved mid-range shot

[Krodis]

After last night, Westbrook is up to 42% from 16-23 feet, despite only being assisted on 15% of them and taking a decent volume. With it has come an uptake in efficiency (he's up over last year's TS% now). I've been really impressed. When he started slow this year he was taking some open jumpers, but they just weren't falling, and after watching him the last couple weeks I understand why he was taking them. It's clearly something he worked on in the offseason.

[sonictecture]

Would you go so far as to say that Westbrook is one of the most difficult players to defend at this point?

[Clangus]

Would you go so far as to say that Westbrook is one of the most difficult players to defend at this point?

I would - without question.

I love the fact that he has upped his FGA and pts and yet managed to also up his FG%. He gets a lot of ****, but dang the kid can ball.

[fallacy]

The best part is the perception change about Westbrook.


Remember when Westbrook was always holding Durant back and that Durant would be much better without Westbrook? Now on the general board in the MVP discussion thread people are actually arguing that Durant shouldn't win the MVP because he's playing with Westbrook who is "helping him too much. Just like Wade does with Lebron."


People are funny/dumb

[slick_watts]

Would you go so far as to say that Westbrook is one of the most difficult players to defend at this point?

Probably. If he's making jump shots. But I'm still not convinced he's a great jump shooter and he takes way too many three point shots. He's also far too prone to get over-emotional and try to beat a player himself (like he did against Raymond Felton in that one Portland game). His quickness and explosiveness makes him one of the tougher guys to defend, anyway.

That all said he's shooting 50%+ from 16-23 feet this month and it's a credit to his hard work that he can do that. If he can make 42%+ from 16-23 feet he'll be considered an above average mid range shooter.

[Krodis]

If he could get his 3P% up to last year's .333 or higher than I wouldn't really mind the current volume of threes. And, like his mid-range shot, he's shooting better this month (.351 %)

[bbms]

Time for another Westbrook vs Rose thread?

[Phailadelphia]

Time for another Westbrook vs Rose thread?

This post inspired me to check their stats on Synergy. They're eerily similar. Check the Player Comparisons subforum. I posted them in there.