Last night's game was the most intriguing game in years. I think it might be the most important game for the next few years of basketball.
There is absolutely no denying Russell Westbrook's talent. He's the most athletic point guard in basketball right now -- which is crazy when you consider that there's Derrick Rose and Deron Williams and Rajon Rando out there (not counting Chris Paul because of his injuries, but he's obviously terrific).
But as great as Russ is, he's not there yet. So much has been made about his balljocking the past few weeks and the stuff w/ him and KD.
Brooks rolled the dice last night w/ using Maynor (who is a fantastic backup PG and is on the path to be the best since Bobby Jackson) for the entire fourth quarter. KD's remarks were so telling -- "Five guys playing as one."
How Russ handles his benching is SO important. KD's living up to his -- two scoring titles in a row and has had a bunch of awesome playoff games. If R-West lives up his, he could be one of the two best PGs in basketball. If the benching taught him a lesson in game management, I think that's the beginning of one of the best tandems in basketball history and OKC -- now with a bench that looks devastating -- is going to become at least what the Spurs/Celts/Lakers were the last ten years, if not better. But if he sulks and tears the team apart, they're not going to get to where we all want them to be.
I haven't been more pumped for a game during the playoffs like I am for Game 3. No one -- not even the Big 3 on the Heat -- has been under a microscope like Russ is right now. Hopefully it turns into the spotlight.
Do you think that Westbrook might be better off playing the 2?
No.
He was second team All-NBA even WITH his problems. He has such an athleticism advantage that, if he maximizes that by figuring out the difference between playing basketball and being a point guard, he's an all-time great. If you move him to a two, he loses that advantage -- he's listed at 6'3", which is dubious, so he'd have to guard guys who have size over him. He also needs the ball to create his own shot too much to play at 2.
And then, on top of it, you'd have to get a point guard. Eric Maynor's a good backup but he's not a starting PG on a championship level team. OKC's probably the most prudent team in cap management/roster building in the NBA. There's no way they'd waste cap money on a new PG when they have a guy who is so close to being amazing.
I think OKC could run Maynor and Westbrook at the same time for a few stretches in games, though, and am surprised that they don't.
Russ has had times during the playoffs where he got it -- see Game 7 against Memphis, where he had a triple double but deferred to KD. If he consistently has those games, then we're talking about a dynasty. And, not just that, but we're talking about the most likable dynasty in NBA history.
So much is hanging on Russ' response.
