How good was prime westbrook?

[TroubleS0me]

Westbrook was an MVP level player in his prime. He could truly take any team to the playoffs. He was unstoppable going down hill and never got tired. His midrange game was very good as was his free throw rate and free throw percentage. He outplayed Kawhi in 2016 playoffs, probably outplayed KD as well. Matched up extremely well with 2014 CP3 — who I would say would be a top 5 player today —-perfectly when OKC beat the clippers. He was an amazing playmaker whose gifts were never quite maximized because he never had any spacing with KD. If they had more shooting, a better third option they would’ve beaten GSW.

Russ was better than every guard now this year

strongly disagree

He had stretches where he would consistently knock down the free throw line pull up. When he was hitting that shot there wasn't much you could do to stop him.

yes thats the key word...he had stretches & yes that was his go to shot @ the free throw line pull up

I took a look @ his midrange percentages, year by year
he peaked & made 43.5% of his midrange shots in 13-14 but only played 46 games

his best @ full season ?
was 42.9% in the 15-16 season 80 games

in the playoffs
his best year from midrange was 11-12 season when OKC made the finals
he made 46.3% of midrange which is good

43.1% in 16-17 MVP season (playoffs)

I would say he was a solid midrange overall @ his prime

[tsherkin]

Westbrook is a tough one. Far worse scorer than his volume indicates. Athletic, like SCARY athletic. Totally dominant in transition. Very good guard rebounder. Used to be good at the line instead of incompetent. Super, super, super high-usage player and not really an amazing turnout per-possession for that usage, but often confused for very good due to raw per-game averages. But he was pretty wild for what he could do with no jumper. Was pretty good. Not a guy you really wanted to build around, but very good and HIGHLY entertaining. Super explosive. Not an elite finisher, but an exciting one. A good player to have on a bad time. And when he wanted to play nice, he looked very good next to KD until he decided to start over-asserting himself. Would call him Top 10 or 12, sure. He did a lot with just raw physical ability that was quite impressive.

[SinceGatlingWasARookie]

I feel like peak Westbrook despite his stats and great athleticism was missing something that Avery Johnson had. Had point guard should run an efficient offense and getthe most out of their teamates. If i had a best of Westbrook best of Curry super player I would play him off the ball. Even Westbrook as he was is a player that I almost want to play as an off guard despite how good of a passer he was and despite him not being a prticularly good outside shooter.

I just never felt like a Wstbrook offense was a smooth offense.

Give me a best of Westbrook best of Jamal Wilks player and play him on the 1982 Lakers with Cooper, Nixon and Magic making the best fast break in NBA history even better but having Westbrook be the 3rd ball handler behind Magic and Nixon. A westbrook 2 on 1 is fine but I am not so sure I want Westbrook running my half court offense. I am not sure I want Westbrook 1 on 2. Westbrook can finish a 1 on 2 better than most everybody but the right thing to do might be to wait and play half court 5 on 5.

Westbrook reacting and taking the opportunities that present themselves is fine but Westbrook as the decission maker, coach on the floor, floor leader may not be fine.