The Russell Westbrook Thread (2014/15)

Ballerhogger · Post #1001 » by **Ballerhogger** » Sun Mar 22, 2015 9:47 pm

He's my MVP.

HornetJail · Post #1002 » by **HornetJail** » Sun Mar 22, 2015 9:53 pm

Ballerhogger wrote:He's my MVP.

Agreed. Yeah, he missed 15 games, so what? His play when he's been healthy has more than made up the difference. If Westbrook was healthy all season, he'd be a consensus runaway favorite.

Ballerhogger · Post #1003 » by **Ballerhogger** » Sun Mar 22, 2015 9:55 pm

BizGilwalker wrote:
Ballerhogger wrote:He's my MVP.

Agreed. Yeah, he missed 15 games, so what? His play when he's been healthy has more than made up the difference. If Westbrook was healthy all season, he'd be a consensus runaway favorite.

Correct but i disowned the award for quite some time now. He will finish second or the mvp is a joke.

Post #1004 » by **bondom34** » Sun Mar 22, 2015 10:02 pm

Another triple double.

BTW, with him in the lineup, OKC is at a winning percentage pretty much on pace w/ Houston, so for the people who say the standings say he can't be MVP, there's that.

Ballerhogger · Post #1005 » by **Ballerhogger** » Sun Mar 22, 2015 10:04 pm

bondom34 wrote::lol:

Another triple double.

BTW, with him in the lineup, OKC is at a winning percentage pretty much on pace w/ Houston, so for the people who say the standings say he can't be MVP, there's that.

Harden is being forgotten it seems. Curry is the one who somehow has it wrapped up :banghead:

Post #1006 » by **bondom34** » Sun Mar 22, 2015 10:05 pm

Ballerhogger wrote:
bondom34 wrote::lol:

Another triple double.

BTW, with him in the lineup, OKC is at a winning percentage pretty much on pace w/ Houston, so for the people who say the standings say he can't be MVP, there's that.

Harden is being forgotten it seems. Curry is the one who somehow has it wrapped up

Yeah, I'm starting to lean Harden, he's got nothing on that team at this point. Pains me to say it, but that team would be w/o him where OKC would be w/o Russ.

Ballerhogger · Post #1007 » by **Ballerhogger** » Sun Mar 22, 2015 10:06 pm

bondom34 wrote:
Ballerhogger wrote:
bondom34 wrote::lol:

Another triple double.

BTW, with him in the lineup, OKC is at a winning percentage pretty much on pace w/ Houston, so for the people who say the standings say he can't be MVP, there's that.

Harden is being forgotten it seems. Curry is the one who somehow has it wrapped up

Yeah, I'm starting to lean Harden, he's got nothing on that team at this point. Pains me to say it, but that team would be w/o him where OKC would be w/o Russ.

yea true.

Post #1008 » by **bondom34** » Sun Mar 22, 2015 10:07 pm

Actually, just checked, Houston is 46-22 w/ Harden. OKC is 35-20 w/ Russ, so Harden has an advantage a bit.

NaturalThunder · Post #1009 » by **NaturalThunder** » Sun Mar 22, 2015 10:34 pm

bondom34 wrote::lol:

Another triple double.

BTW, with him in the lineup, OKC is at a winning percentage pretty much on pace w/ Houston, so for the people who say the standings say he can't be MVP, there's that.

Came here to post something along the same lines. The Thunder are 5-12 this season without Westbrook, which means they are 35-18 with Westbrook this year. That's a .660 win% and a 17 game swing in a brutally tough Western Conference with Westbrook in the lineup. That winning percentage would have them challenging for 3rd place in that brutally tough Western Conference, despite Durant, and now Ibaka, and other key players missing extended time the rest of the season.

This is also why this season has been so frustrating and depressing for Thunder fans. It's because most of us realize this would be a 60+ win team doing amazing things offensively if everyone had been healthy, especially after the trade. But despite his "spit in the face of the analytic guys" play, and his high turnovers and bad efficiency, Westbrook is somehow defying the things that a lot of people point to as things that lead to winning basketball, and has his team winning at a 3rd or 4th place clip in a historically stacked and historically deep conference....and that's been without the reigning MVP for most of the season.

Post #1010 » by **bondom34** » Sun Mar 22, 2015 10:39 pm

NaturalThunder wrote:
bondom34 wrote::lol:

Another triple double.

BTW, with him in the lineup, OKC is at a winning percentage pretty much on pace w/ Houston, so for the people who say the standings say he can't be MVP, there's that.

Came here to post something along the same lines. The Thunder are 5-12 this season without Westbrook, which means they are 35-18 with Westbrook this year. That's a .660 win% and a 17 game swing in a brutally tough Western Conference with Westbrook in the lineup. That winning percentage would have them challenging for 3rd place in that brutally tough Western Conference, despite Durant, and now Ibaka, and other key players missing extended time the rest of the season.

This is also why this season has been so frustrating and depressing for Thunder fans. It's because most of us realize this would be a 60+ win team doing amazing things offensively if everyone had been healthy, especially after the trade. But despite his "spit in the face of the analytic guys" play, and his high turnovers and bad efficiency, Westbrook is somehow defying the things that a lot of people point to as things that lead to winning basketball, and has his team winning at a 3rd or 4th place clip in a historically stacked and historically deep conference....and that's been without the reigning MVP for most of the season.

Yep, the thing is, I consider myself to mostly be an analytics fan, but Russ just defies everything I think about the game in literally every way imaginable. This team was 3-10 at one point, and its not just missing KD, though that's the biggest issue obviously. They went a stretch w/o Adams, now Ibaka, Collison, Jackson was essentially tanking this season, and they've never had a stable lineup. I'd give the MVP at this point to Harden based on the fact that he's in a similar situation and done it a few more games, but as crazy as it seems, I'd put Russ ahead of Curry. Curry's got at least 2/3 guys on that team who are at Ibaka's caliber this season, and they've had essentially zero injuries.

spearsy23 · Post #1011 » by **spearsy23** » Sun Mar 22, 2015 11:21 pm

bondom34 wrote:Yep, the thing is, I consider myself to mostly be an analytics fan, but Russ just defies everything I think about the game in literally every way imaginable. This team was 3-10 at one point, and its not just missing KD, though that's the biggest issue obviously. They went a stretch w/o Adams, now Ibaka, Collison, Jackson was essentially tanking this season, and they've never had a stable lineup. I'd give the MVP at this point to Harden based on the fact that he's in a similar situation and done it a few more games, but as crazy as it seems, I'd put Russ ahead of Curry. Curry's got at least 2/3 guys on that team who are at Ibaka's caliber this season, and they've had essentially zero injuries.

3-12, don't shortchange him

And I'm in the same boat, but Russ isn't necessarily defying analytics, he's defying the way we originally thought. Really it's just his ts% that looks 'bad' and it's above average. He impacts the game around scoring AND is a volume scorer. It really makes me wonder if we've misjudged Iverson.

Post #1012 » by **bondom34** » Sun Mar 22, 2015 11:22 pm

spearsy23 wrote:
bondom34 wrote:Yep, the thing is, I consider myself to mostly be an analytics fan, but Russ just defies everything I think about the game in literally every way imaginable. This team was 3-10 at one point, and its not just missing KD, though that's the biggest issue obviously. They went a stretch w/o Adams, now Ibaka, Collison, Jackson was essentially tanking this season, and they've never had a stable lineup. I'd give the MVP at this point to Harden based on the fact that he's in a similar situation and done it a few more games, but as crazy as it seems, I'd put Russ ahead of Curry. Curry's got at least 2/3 guys on that team who are at Ibaka's caliber this season, and they've had essentially zero injuries.

3-12, don't shortchange him

And I'm in the same boat, but Russ isn't necessarily defying analytics, he's defying the way we originally thought. Really it's just his ts% that looks 'bad' and it's above average. He impacts the game around scoring AND is a volume scorer. It really makes me wonder if we've misjudged Iverson.

Actually, his 1st 2 games were Ls.

Post #1013 » by **bondom34** » Sun Mar 22, 2015 11:26 pm

spearsy23 wrote:
bondom34 wrote:Yep, the thing is, I consider myself to mostly be an analytics fan, but Russ just defies everything I think about the game in literally every way imaginable. This team was 3-10 at one point, and its not just missing KD, though that's the biggest issue obviously. They went a stretch w/o Adams, now Ibaka, Collison, Jackson was essentially tanking this season, and they've never had a stable lineup. I'd give the MVP at this point to Harden based on the fact that he's in a similar situation and done it a few more games, but as crazy as it seems, I'd put Russ ahead of Curry. Curry's got at least 2/3 guys on that team who are at Ibaka's caliber this season, and they've had essentially zero injuries.

3-12, don't shortchange him

And I'm in the same boat, but Russ isn't necessarily defying analytics, he's defying the way we originally thought. Really it's just his ts% that looks 'bad' and it's above average. He impacts the game around scoring AND is a volume scorer. It really makes me wonder if we've misjudged Iverson.

That said though, pretty spot on with ways he effects games.

spearsy23 · Post #1014 » by **spearsy23** » Sun Mar 22, 2015 11:27 pm

bondom34 wrote:
spearsy23 wrote:
bondom34 wrote:Yep, the thing is, I consider myself to mostly be an analytics fan, but Russ just defies everything I think about the game in literally every way imaginable. This team was 3-10 at one point, and its not just missing KD, though that's the biggest issue obviously. They went a stretch w/o Adams, now Ibaka, Collison, Jackson was essentially tanking this season, and they've never had a stable lineup. I'd give the MVP at this point to Harden based on the fact that he's in a similar situation and done it a few more games, but as crazy as it seems, I'd put Russ ahead of Curry. Curry's got at least 2/3 guys on that team who are at Ibaka's caliber this season, and they've had essentially zero injuries.

3-12, don't shortchange him

And I'm in the same boat, but Russ isn't necessarily defying analytics, he's defying the way we originally thought. Really it's just his ts% that looks 'bad' and it's above average. He impacts the game around scoring AND is a volume scorer. It really makes me wonder if we've misjudged Iverson.

Actually, his 1st 2 games were Ls.

I thought you were just talking about the overall turnaround :oops:

Post #1015 » by **bondom34** » Sun Mar 22, 2015 11:31 pm

spearsy23 wrote:
bondom34 wrote:
spearsy23 wrote:3-12, don't shortchange him

And I'm in the same boat, but Russ isn't necessarily defying analytics, he's defying the way we originally thought. Really it's just his ts% that looks 'bad' and it's above average. He impacts the game around scoring AND is a volume scorer. It really makes me wonder if we've misjudged Iverson.

Actually, his 1st 2 games were Ls.

I thought you were just talking about the overall turnaround

Nah, just meant overall. But man, looking back on some games they should have won right now....

Still though, 3 games up on NOP, hope they hold it.

Also, on Kanter, he's played 13 games w/ Russ, and 54 w/ Utah.

His top 3 players he's gotten assists from:

Burke: 44
Hayward: 37
Russ: 33, in 1/4 the games.

RSCD3_ · Post #1016 » by **RSCD3_** » Sun Mar 22, 2015 11:44 pm

bondom34 wrote:
NaturalThunder wrote:
bondom34 wrote::lol:

Another triple double.

BTW, with him in the lineup, OKC is at a winning percentage pretty much on pace w/ Houston, so for the people who say the standings say he can't be MVP, there's that.

Came here to post something along the same lines. The Thunder are 5-12 this season without Westbrook, which means they are 35-18 with Westbrook this year. That's a .660 win% and a 17 game swing in a brutally tough Western Conference with Westbrook in the lineup. That winning percentage would have them challenging for 3rd place in that brutally tough Western Conference, despite Durant, and now Ibaka, and other key players missing extended time the rest of the season.

This is also why this season has been so frustrating and depressing for Thunder fans. It's because most of us realize this would be a 60+ win team doing amazing things offensively if everyone had been healthy, especially after the trade. But despite his "spit in the face of the analytic guys" play, and his high turnovers and bad efficiency, Westbrook is somehow defying the things that a lot of people point to as things that lead to winning basketball, and has his team winning at a 3rd or 4th place clip in a historically stacked and historically deep conference....and that's been without the reigning MVP for most of the season.

Yep, the thing is, I consider myself to mostly be an analytics fan, but Russ just defies everything I think about the game in literally every way imaginable. This team was 3-10 at one point, and its not just missing KD, though that's the biggest issue obviously. They went a stretch w/o Adams, now Ibaka, Collison, Jackson was essentially tanking this season, and they've never had a stable lineup. I'd give the MVP at this point to Harden based on the fact that he's in a similar situation and done it a few more games, but as crazy as it seems, I'd put Russ ahead of Curry. Curry's got at least 2/3 guys on that team who are at Ibaka's caliber this season, and they've had essentially zero injuries.

Russell Westbrook has the closest thing to conqueror's haki that ive ever seen lol

I seriously think he has an adverse effect on his opponents with his intimidation

GSP · Post #1017 » by **GSP** » Sun Mar 22, 2015 11:46 pm

He could be the best player but theres no way hes Mvp going by the criteria thats been used for decades now. Okc will finish at the 8th seed prolly. If Kobe didnt win in 06 theres no chance Russ will

Post #1018 » by **bondom34** » Mon Mar 23, 2015 3:14 am

So 8-2 when he has a trip doub (or 9-2, can't remember). Annd people calling stat padder.

Bergmaniac · Post #1019 » by **Bergmaniac** » Mon Mar 23, 2015 10:49 am

Westbrook is having so much fun playing the pick and roll game with Kanter and McGary, bigs who are great at catching the ball on the move and finishing. After years of Kendrick Perkins who is literally the worst big man in the league at this it's quite a change for him and is a big reason his assists has increased quite a bit since Kanter came. It was always obvious that he would massively benefit from playing with such big men and he's proving it with each passing game.

dfins891 · Post #1020 » by **dfins891** » Mon Mar 23, 2015 12:49 pm

Bergmaniac wrote:Westbrook is having so much fun playing the pick and roll game with Kanter and McGary, bigs who are great at catching the ball on the move and finishing. After years of Kendrick Perkins who is literally the worst big man in the league at this it's quite a change for him and is a big reason his assists has increased quite a bit since Kanter came. It was always obvious that he would massively benefit from playing with such big men and he's proving it with each passing game.

It is really sad how many years of Westbrook's career that the Thunder severely damaged Westbrook's offensive game by playing him with Perkins and not at least a decent PnR big man. I don't remember the exact numbers but over the last several seasons Westbrook's TS% with Perkins on the floor was about 51% and off the floor was about 57%.