Russell Westbrook is showing you what Kevin Durant had to put up with for 8 years.

Grumpy Heat Fan · Post #1 » by **Grumpy Heat Fan** » Sat Oct 30, 2021 3:30 am

For years, when KD was young, I said Kevin Durant is the only player I see that could legitimately challenge Michael Jordan's career. He could do it all. Almost a 7 footer, who can handle the ball like a guard, elite shooting from anywhere on the court, could drive to the basket at will, he could do it all. But year after year, I kept repeating that Westbrook is handcuffing Durant's greatness. I kept saying Westbrook is a terrible team player and needed to be traded to allow Kevin Durant to shine and cement OKC as "his team" and let him take off.

Instead, Sam Presti was stubborn, Westbrook was selfish, and Kevin Durant, back then, was way too nice and passive to admit it. The Thunder staff had one of the GOAT's in Kevin Durant imo, and they ruined the first half of his career by allowing Westbrook to stay for so long. Durant could have had a magical career, like Jordan did. KD has been the best player in the league for a long time now, but he was held back by Westbrook, and then took a lot of hate when he went to GSW. Even though Durant played well in GSW and showed up his opponents, nailed dagger 3's in the Finals with Lebron guarding him, people don't give him enough credit for his talent.

When I think of what could have been, with KD.... his career should have been much different, and for that, I lay the blame on the OKC front office, and secondly, on Russel Westbrook.

Now that you see who Westbrook is, since leaving OKC, and how bad the Lakers are imploding, everyone should consider what Kevin Durant had to put up with for eight years, and be given a new perspective on his career. Westbrook is single-handedy going to ruin Lebron and Anthony's chances for another ring. If Lebron thinks he can reign in Westbrook, he is in for a big headache. Westbrook will never be as good a passer as Lebron and will never allow Lebron to turn him into a role player.

Onlytimewilltel · Post #2 » by **Onlytimewilltel** » Sat Oct 30, 2021 3:31 am

Lol KD still a cupcake

Grumpy Heat Fan · Post #3 » by **Grumpy Heat Fan** » Sat Oct 30, 2021 3:36 am

Onlytimewilltel wrote:Lol KD still a cupcake

If you mean going to GSW, he simply out-Lebron'd Lebron, who formed a superteam in Miami, CLE, and LAL.

Lotta cupcakes in the league then.

1993Playoffs · Post #4 » by **1993Playoffs** » Sat Oct 30, 2021 3:42 am

This thread is almost as trash as Westbrook recent play. Almost.

thebigbird · Post #5 » by **thebigbird** » Sat Oct 30, 2021 3:42 am

Comparing Westbrook from 5+ years ago to present day Westbrook is so incredibly disingenuous.

Run DLC · Post #6 » by **Run DLC** » Sat Oct 30, 2021 3:43 am

KD is the GOAT

theforumblue · Post #7 » by **theforumblue** » Sat Oct 30, 2021 3:45 am

Yeah MJ always struck me as a guy who'd take backseat to Westbrook.

Tottery · Post #8 » by **Tottery** » Sat Oct 30, 2021 3:52 am

theforumblue wrote:Yeah MJ always struck me as a guy who'd take backseat to Westbrook.

Sarcasm, right? I'm pretty sure MJ would be chewing WB out and have him kicked from the team.

Grumpy Heat Fan · Post #9 » by **Grumpy Heat Fan** » Sat Oct 30, 2021 3:56 am

theforumblue wrote:Yeah MJ always struck me as a guy who'd take backseat to Westbrook.

MJ would have gotten Westbrook traded.

When Kevin Durant was in OKC in his younger days, he wasn't assertive enough to take over the team. OKC Front office should have done it for him. I posted about this for years. This is not a new take for me.

Westbrook was inserting himself as a high usage player and doing things like having the ball in his hands in crucial playoff moments, when he should have been deferring to KD..... etc....

celticfan42487 · Post #10 » by **celticfan42487** » Sat Oct 30, 2021 3:59 am

Oh plz

BoatsNZones · Post #11 » by **BoatsNZones** » Sat Oct 30, 2021 4:14 am

Curry and the Warriors are the reason he has the legacy he does. And no, he never had a chance to sniff MJ.

I just take this as you never saw MJ in the late 80s/90s.

Hobo4President · Post #12 » by **Hobo4President** » Sat Oct 30, 2021 4:16 am

Guy is trash

KnicksGadfly · Post #13 » by **KnicksGadfly** » Sat Oct 30, 2021 4:17 am

I would have more sympathy had he not left Steph to team up with Kyrie

garrick · Post #14 » by **garrick** » Sat Oct 30, 2021 4:58 am

The Westbrook of today is nowhere near the athletic monster that prime Westbrook was who could take over games with his ability to get to the rim and finish difficult lay ups.

The problem is he never improved his shooting or playmaking skills so he is an inefficient chucker and not so great floor general today.

monopoman · Post #15 » by **monopoman** » Sat Oct 30, 2021 5:13 am

Westbrook is quite possibly the most athleticism reliant player in the NBA. He was a monster when he was quicker, but those days are long gone.

LesGrossman · Post #16 » by **LesGrossman** » Sat Oct 30, 2021 5:29 am

Good thread. Its not about Westbrooks physical skill, not even his shooting. Its about his inability to take a backseat to a guy whois obviously the greater player. Its more important for him to prove to the world how grewt Russell Westbrook is than to win games. That will never change and it did indeed waste the first half of KD‘s professional career in front of our eyes.

GSP · Post #17 » by **GSP** » Sat Oct 30, 2021 6:08 am

I used to be a huge Russ fan but his career after Kd left particular his playoff career has exposed him in a bad light

johanliebert · Post #18 » by **johanliebert** » Sat Oct 30, 2021 6:27 am

Odd timing he played well last night.

queridiculo · Post #19 » by **queridiculo** » Sat Oct 30, 2021 6:33 am

Clown thread.

The Thunder had a great run with Westbrook and Durant and Durant was undeniably great by the time he was 21 years old.

Durant led the league in scoring 4 out of his 8 Thunder seasons and was already a Hall-of-Fame lock before he ever joined the Warriors.

Westbrook held Durant back.. like what the **** does that even mean?

Some of you just love to **** on players for reasons that make absolutely no sense.

Pennebaker · Post #20 » by **Pennebaker** » Sat Oct 30, 2021 6:34 am

Durant was lucky. Westbrook has been great so far.