Around the NBA - March 2018

[ripcityboy]

Durant got tossed.

"Booooooo....."

 

[DDolla]

KD just got ejected lol

 

[AFully22]

I never understood that. Ya they missed the call but was it really so big of a deal that it’s worth getting ejected for the entire second half on your first game back?

You know what sucks more than a ref blowing a call? Reacting like a punk till you get kicked out the game in the first half. Seems like a lot of the Warriors struggle holding their composure when something obviously doesn’t go their way, probably because they’re so used to the game coming so easy.

 

[DDolla]

If the Blazers just took advantage of early easy schedule, they could have been fighting for the 2 seed.

 

[Boob-No-More]

Lol I swear you just need to keep it close with OKC until the 4th and let them beat their own damn self.
That 25 ft air ball from Westbrick is the epitome.

I had to pick up my son and missed the 4th quarter. I just read through the play by play. It looked exactly as I expected. Westbrick 2-8 with a couple costly TOVs as OKC blows yet another 4th quarter lead.

Westbrick shot 0-4 from beyond the arc and had more TOVs (7) than ASTs(5). I bet Paul George can't wait for this season to end so he can get the hell out of there.

BNM

 

[H.C.]

I had to pick up my son and missed the 4th quarter. I just read through the play by play. It looked exactly as I expected. Westbrick 2-8 with a couple costly TOVs as OKC blows yet another 4th quarter lead.

Westbrick shot 0-4 from beyond the arc and had more TOVs (7) than ASTs(5). I bet Paul George can't wait for this season to end so he can get the hell out of there.

BNM

about 4 minutes to go Westbrick got the ball with about 8 seconds on the shotclock from a side out.
He was standing at 30ft when he got the ball. Then decided that was THE SHOT, only to miss it wide left by about 4ft.
With about 14s to go in the game down by 4? Westbrick decided instead of taking the 1 on 1 easy layup cause no Spurs got back. He was going to cross over and take a three. Missed it wide right by about 4ft.
My girlfriend beat me to it saying. 'Westbrick living up to his name'.

 

[AFully22]

I had to pick up my son and missed the 4th quarter. I just read through the play by play. It looked exactly as I expected. Westbrick 2-8 with a couple costly TOVs as OKC blows yet another 4th quarter lead.

Westbrick shot 0-4 from beyond the arc and had more TOVs (7) than ASTs(5). I bet Paul George can't wait for this season to end so he can get the hell out of there.

BNM

It was same shit different toilet. PG was around 50% from the field and shot well from deep while playing good D. As a team they worked their way within striking distance in the final minutes, at which time Westbrook iced out his teammates and took TWO ill advised 25 footers that didn’t even graze rim.

Like clockwork.

 

[KingSpeed]

about 4 minutes to go Westbrick got the ball with about 8 seconds on the shotclock from a side out.
He was standing at 30ft when he got the ball. Then decided that was THE SHOT, only to miss it wide left by about 4ft.
With about 14s to go in the game down by 4? Westbrick decided instead of taking the 1 on 1 easy layup cause no Spurs got back. He was going to cross over and take a three. Missed it wide right by about 4ft.
My girlfriend beat me to it saying. 'Westbrick living up to his name'.

if you're down 4, you gotta go for the three there

 

[H.C.]

if you're down 4, you gotta go for the three there

Green font? If not you're wrong like usual.


Clock stopped with 12.6 after Westbrick, airballed the three out of bounds.
Westbrick could get the easy two, with possible and1. Then play the foul game 12seconds left on the clock is plenty of time.
Especially with how many free throws the Spurs missed in the 4th you take your chances.
Even if you decide to take the three, the guy who was 0-3 before his miss is not the guy who takes it.
PG/Melo haven't shot well from three recently... But they shot well against the Spurs PG was 3-6, Melo 3-3.
This is a normal thing with Westbrick, he has to be the hero.

With that much time left, you take best shot available. You don't force a three.

 

[illmatic99]

It's interesting how some of you guys get after Russ for doing what Dame does on a regular basis with some of those yolo shots

 

[Boob-No-More]

It was same shit different toilet. PG was around 50% from the field and shot well from deep while playing good D. As a team they worked their way within striking distance in the final minutes, at which time Westbrook iced out his teammates and took TWO I’ll advised 25 footers that didn’t even graze rim.

Like clockwork.

I called it all the way back during the 2011 playoffs, in the series against DAL:

OKC will never win a championship with Russell Westbrook as their point guard. That was when I first noticed him freezing out Durant in the 4th quarter of close games.

I have been called a Westbrook hater many, many times, but I'll be damned if that stupid fuck wit doesn't just keep on proving me right.

Back then, they were young and had Durant (22), Westbrook(22), Ibaka (21) and Harden (21). I was told I was nuts. They were loaded with talent and on the verge of a dynasty.

I heard similar nonsense after they added PG13 and Melo - that team has too much talent not to figure it out.

Well talent has never been the issue. Westbrook has been surrounded by talent his entire career. The figuring it out part is what does them in. The guy is now in his 10th NBA season and he STILL hasn't figured it out. He still makes the same bad decisions and forces up the same bad shots he always has. He continues to try to play hero ball, freezing out his more efficient scoring teammates. First it was Durant and Harden. Now it's Paul George. If he hasn't figured it out by now, I doubt he ever will.

BNM

 

[BonesJones]

It's interesting how some of you guys get after Russ for doing what Dame does on a regular basis with some of those yolo shots

Because Dame makes his consistently while Russ airballs them consistently. If you can't see the difference between the two's production during crunch time then I don't know what to tell ya.

 

[Wizard Mentor]

There should be a photo of Russ next to the term “hero ball.”

He has no business shooting threes to begin with, nevermind late in games.

Anyone know of a website that lists player stats by quarter? I'd like to check Russ's.

 

[BonesJones]

KDs turned into such a whiney punk. That dude was so humble a few years ago. Perfect example of someone going from humble to cocky and entitled.

 

[illmatic99]

Because Dame makes his consistently while Russ airballs them consistently. If you can't see the difference between the two's production during crunch time then I don't know what to tell ya.

Dame is < 37% from 3 for the year, and his career. Maybe he shouldn't be shooting those either?Russ is a worse shooter no doubt. But this double standard is funny.

 

[Boob-No-More]

It's interesting how some of you guys get after Russ for doing what Dame does on a regular basis with some of those yolo shots

OKC has a HORRIBLE record of blowing 4th quarter leads during the Westbrook era, regardless of who his teammates are. He's been the one constant and anyone who watches more than a couple OKC games a year can see EXACTLY why they blow so many 4th quarter leads - Russell Westbrook hero ball. I mean good lord, During Durant's last season in OKC they blew 15 games they led in the 4th quarter. How is that even possible? Westbrook Hero Ball, that's how.

Dame is the exact opposite. He has led countless come from behind 4th quarter wins. I'll take Lillard Time 1 million times out of 1 million over Westbrook Hero Ball.

BNM

 

[Scalma]

KDs turned into such a whiney punk. That dude was so humble a few years ago. Perfect example of someone going from humble to cocky and entitled.

He was probably always like that, he just didn’t have to pretend anymore once everyone was against him.

 

[Scalma]

It's interesting how some of you guys get after Russ for doing what Dame does on a regular basis with some of those yolo shots

Operative word here is “some”

Dame is < 37% from 3 for the year, and his career. Maybe he shouldn't be shooting those either?Russ is a worse shooter no doubt. But this double standard is funny.

One is an above average shooter, one is below. Why is this so difficult to understand?

 

[illmatic99]

 

[AFully22]

Dame is < 37% from 3 for the year, and his career. Maybe he shouldn't be shooting those either?Russ is a worse shooter no doubt. But this double standard is funny.

Dame in the clutch is the opposite of Russ in the clutch. That’s why we don’t get on Dame for taking those shots. If Dame air balled as many as Russ does in the final minutes I would get on him too, but he doesn’t. Dame consistently wins us games in the final minutes while Russ consistently loses them games in the final minutes.

Russ’ shot selection just adds comedic value, it’s a sub category to the main issue which is erratic, inefficient, and selfish play in the clutch.

 

[illmatic99]

One is an above average shooter, one is below. Why is this so difficult to understand?

A bad shot is a bad shot. Regardless of who shoots it. that said, 37% shouldn't make him immune to criticism for some of his shot selection. If he's in the 40s it's one thing, but he's about league average for his whole career.

 

[Scalma]

And I’d ALSO argue that if Lillard played next to a superstar like Westbrook has his whole career his percentages would be even higher. He doesn’t take crazy shots because he’s selfish. He takes them because most of the time, he has to. Westbrook only cares about Westbrook.

 

[Boob-No-More]

Dame is < 37% from 3 for the year, and his career. Maybe he shouldn't be shooting those either?Russ is a worse shooter no doubt. But this double standard is funny.

It's not a double standard. .370 is above league average. Someone posted a while back and they mentioned it during one of the national broadcasts that Steph Curry is the only player who shoots a higher percentage on deep 3s than Dame.

After his 0-4 on 3FGs tonight, including two 4th quarter air balls, Westbrook is shooting .291 3FG%. That's Andre Miller bad. The difference was Miller was smart enough to only attempt one per game.

And that's just poor shot selection. Westbrook also turns the ball over at an alarming rate, especially during the 4th quarter. He had 7 TOVs tonight, including two critical turnovers late in the 4th quarter with the game on the line. Tonight was his 18th game this season with at least 7 TOVs. Dame has a total of two 7 TOV games over the last two seasons combined.

There is no double standard. Westbook shoots like shit with the game on the line and commits countless unforced boneheaded TOVs. Dame doesn't. Anyone who has actually watched them play can see that they are completely different players when the game is on the line. Lillard == come from behind wins. Westbrook == blown 4th quarter leads.

BNM

 

[illmatic99]

It's not a double standard. .370 is above league average. Someone posted a while back and they mentioned it during one of the national broadcasts that Steph Curry is the only player who shoots a higher percentage on deep 3s than Dame.

After his 0-4 on 3FGs tonight, including two 4th quarter air balls, Westbrook is shooting .291 3FG%. That's Andre Miller bad. The difference was Miller was smart enough to only attempt one per game.

And that's just poor shot selection. Westbrook also turns the ball over at an alarming rate, especially during the 4th quarter. He had 7 TOVs tonight, including two critical turnovers late in the 4th quarter with the game on the line. Tonight was his 18th game this season with at least 7 TOVs. Dame has a total of two 7 TOV games over the last two seasons combined.

There is no double standard. Westbook shoots like shit with the game on the line and commits countless unforced boneheaded TOVs. Dame doesn't. Anyone who has actually watched them play can see that they are completely different players when the game is on the line. Lillard == come from behind wins. Westbrook == blown 4th quarter leads.

BNM

Dame's decision making is far better than Russ'. I'm not arguing that. But he has just as poor shot selection some times.

 

[Boob-No-More]

Dame's decision making is far better than Russ'. I'm not arguing that. But he has just as poor shot selection some times.

I suppose it depends on how you define "some times". By in large, Lillard wins Portland a LOT more games than he costs us with his 4th quarter play.

The EXACT opposite is true of Westbrook. Every stinking year, OKC is first or second in the league in blown 4th quarter leads. MIN is the other team that's regularly fighting it out with OKC for most blown 4th quarter leads. MIN is understandable, they have been a young team, that's lost a lot of games period. A young team not being able to close out close games is pretty standard stuff.

What's not standard stuff is a 55 win veteran team with a 4-time scoring champion blowing fifteen 4th quarter leads.

BNM

 

[BonesJones]

Dame is < 37% from 3 for the year, and his career. Maybe he shouldn't be shooting those either?Russ is a worse shooter no doubt. But this double standard is funny.

Is a 111 ORtg not good? Not to mention has a good enough shooter to stretch the defense out to 30 feet which opens up the floor for the rest of the offense.. Not to mention that he shoots much better during and shoots better during crunch time.

24 points per 100 possessions is a big difference. How the he'll are they even close to similar???

 

[Boob-No-More]

Per NBA.com Clutch Time Stats (Last 5 minutes of the game with a 5 point or less differential):

Damian Lillard: 37.5% 3FG%, 0.1 TOV
Russell Westbrook: 21.3% 3FG%, 0.4 TOV

So, Dame shoots slightly better than his season average on 3-pointers with the game on the line. Russ shoots 8 percentage points worse than his already abysmal season average, and commits 4 times as many TOVs.

That, ladies and gentlemen, is the difference between Lillard Time and Westbrook Hero Ball.

BNM

 

[illmatic99]

Dames been better this year. Last year he shot 29% from 3 in clutch. Russ was at 33%. Both equally bad. CJ was an unbelievable 44%

 

[KingSpeed]

It's all about trust. Westbrook wants to win and he doesn't trust anyone but himself. Look at our team. Aminu can miss 5 straight threes but his teammates still trust him and he often delivers a clutch three late in the game. Dame trusts CJ. Dame trusts Nurkic. Everyone trusts Mo from behind the line. You have to earn the trust sure but you must trust each other to win this game.

 

[Wizard Mentor]

It's all about trust. Westbrook wants to win and he doesn't trust anyone but himself. Look at our team. Aminu can miss 5 straight threes but his teammates still trust him and he often delivers a clutch three late in the game. Dame trusts CJ. Dame trusts Nurkic. Everyone trusts Mo from behind the line. You have to earn the trust sure but you must trust each other to win this game.

good post, but honestly I don't know if it's really about trust or glory.