I'll take Westbrook, please. (1 Viewer)

[e_blazer]

It looks like Shooter "taking" an opposing player riles up karma. Maybe he can do the Blazers a favor and "take" Cousins BEFORE tonight's game so we can get the benefit.

 

[BlazerCaravan]

The Grqntlamd Basketball Hor podcast was glorious; the podcast came out yesterday but was recorded on the 23rd. They spent the first ten minutes talking about Westbrook's big opportunity to be the MVP and how his durability will help him out.

 

[e_blazer]

The Grqntlamd Basketball Hor podcast was glorious; the podcast came out yesterday but was recorded on the 23rd. They spent the first ten minutes talking about Westbrook's big opportunity to be the MVP and how his durability will help him out.

Love it.

 

[magnifier661]

The Grqntlamd Basketball Hor podcast was glorious; the podcast came out yesterday but was recorded on the 23rd. They spent the first ten minutes talking about Westbrook's big opportunity to be the MVP and how his durability will help him out.

Shît Simmons is as jinx worthy as Barkely and Shooter!

 

[Shooter]

Westbrook sitting on bench with injured hand. Dame healthy and undefeated.

And that proves what? That Dame is a better player? That Westbrook is being punished by the Gods for totally showing Lillard up for one night?

And what will you say if Westbrook comes back strong, and Lillard goes down with an injury? That Lillard is somehow better than Westbrook anyway?

 

[Strenuus]

And that proves what? That Dame is a better player? That Westbrook is being punished by the Gods for totally showing Lillard up for one night?

And what will you say if Westbrook comes back strong, and Lillard goes down with an injury? That Lillard is somehow better than Westbrook anyway?

one half of one game.

 

[Shooter]

How about we return to this thread in about 20 games and see if Westbrook is still playing at this level? Something tells me he cannot continue to produce like that.

I'm sure he can't. But I'm also pretty sure that Lillard didn't display even half the enthusiasm, energy, athleticism, and dominance that Westbrook did on the Blazer's opening night. It was quite a show.

 

[Strenuus]

I'm sure he can't. But I'm also pretty sure that Lillard didn't display even half the enthusiasm, energy, athleticism, and dominance that Westbrook did on the Blazer's opening night. It was quite a show.

for one half of one game.

 

[BBert]

I'm sure he can't. But I'm also pretty sure that Lillard didn't display even half the enthusiasm, energy, athleticism, and dominance that Westbrook did on the Blazer's opening night. It was quite a show.

OK. Westbrook is bigger, faster and stronger than Damian Lillard. He had a referee assisted 'dominant' one half game of basketball against the Blazers. Then he pooped out. In the meantime, Damian played clutch when he needed to, as usual, and came away with the 'W'.

You are the same guy who couldn't be rational about Rasheed Wallace when he played for Portland. You didn't like aspects of his mental makeup. When it comes to playing cool under pressure, I'll keep Damian Lillard over Russell Westbrook, thank you very much.

 

[BrianFromWA]

Which rationality about Sheed? The uber-talented, not-necessarily-team's-needs-first guy?

 

[Shooter]

OK. Westbrook is bigger, faster and stronger than Damian Lillard. He had a referee assisted 'dominant' one half game of basketball against the Blazers. Then he pooped out. In the meantime, Damian played clutch when he needed to, as usual, and came away with the 'W'.

You're joking, right? Westbrook was playing without the league's MVP and possibly the best player in the game--and trying to carry that team to victory. He put up 38 points. How much did you expect him to put up? 50? 60?

Lillard, on the other hand, was playing with a full roster. And he couldn't even stay with Westbrook. Wasn't even in his same league. In fact, he looked totally lost out there in the first half. Yes, Lillard hit a couple of big threes late in the game, but the Blazers were getting contributions from lots of people at that point. Lillard did not make the difference at the end of the game, but Westbrook certainly made the difference through about three quarters.

Look, I love Damian Lillard. I'm a huge fan of his game. I'm behind him all the way. But you have to admit he looked thoroughly outclassed by Westbrook for most of that game. It was actually kind of shocking to see.

 

[BBert]

You're joking, right? Westbrook was playing without the league's MVP and possibly the best player in the game--and trying to carry that team to victory. He put up 38 points. How much did you expect him to put up? 50? 60?

Lillard, on the other hand, was playing with a full roster. And he couldn't even stay with Westbrook. Wasn't even in his same league. In fact, he looked totally lost out there in the first half. Yes, Lillard hit a couple of big threes late in the game, but the Blazers were getting contributions from lots of people at that point. Lillard did not make the difference at the end of the game, but Westbrook certainly made the difference through about three quarters.

Look, I love Damian Lillard. I'm a huge fan of his game. I'm behind him all the way. But you have to admit he looked thoroughly outclassed by Westbrook for most of that game. It was actually kind of shocking to see.

Westbrook outplayed Damian by a big margin in the first half. I'll give you that. Westbrook is today (well, yesterday, before his injury) a better basketball athlete than Damian. I'll give you that.

I do think Mental Makeup Matters. I don't like douchebags (ahem,russellwestbrook,ahem) on my favorite team. Many times clutch beats talent. Team work matters. For those reasons, I will happily keep Damian Lillard even if Westbrook were offered.

(BTW: Nothing wrong with your OP or your take; good discussion.)

 

[BlazerWookee]

You're joking, right? Westbrook was playing without the league's MVP and possibly the best player in the game--and trying to carry that team to victory. He put up 38 points. How much did you expect him to put up? 50? 60?

Lillard, on the other hand, was playing with a full roster. And he couldn't even stay with Westbrook. Wasn't even in his same league. In fact, he looked totally lost out there in the first half. Yes, Lillard hit a couple of big threes late in the game, but the Blazers were getting contributions from lots of people at that point. Lillard did not make the difference at the end of the game, but Westbrook certainly made the difference through about three quarters.

Look, I love Damian Lillard. I'm a huge fan of his game. I'm behind him all the way. But you have to admit he looked thoroughly outclassed by Westbrook for most of that game. It was actually kind of shocking to see.

If Lilliard was playing without LaMarcus and Wes, then measuring Lilliard's numbers against Westbrook would be a fair comparison. Roles matter. Lillard was running a team. Westbrook was a team.

 

[HomerLovesKoolAid]

If Lilliard was playing without LaMarcus and Wes, then measuring Lilliard's numbers against Westbrook would be a fair comparison. Roles matter. Lillard was running a team. Westbrook was a team.

There ya go, making sense again. Knock that shit off.

 

[BlazerWookee]

There ya go, making sense again. Knock that shit off.

I know, right?

 

[H.C.]

I don't know.. Westbrook did play a pretty damn good game... However he also had huge turnovers when he got put back in the 4th after resting.

Can say he was tired... Can say he gave all he had.. But when it came down to it.. When it came time to win the game....
Westbrook had huge turnovers when he couldn't just get in the lane anymore.
When the Blazers actually started playing pick and roll defense by stopping the ball...
Westbrook didn't kick the ball to his teammates like he did in the first half.
He tried to do it all himself and in turn.. turned the ball over and basically threw the game.
While I agree that Lillard looked outclassed...
He also didn't try to do "too much" and force things like Westbrook...
He showed great maturity and mental fortitude in letting the game come to him.. Letting his teammates carry the load...
He basically said "hey Westbrook is owning my shit and I'm not playing well... Not going to force things and I'm going to let my teammates carry the load tonight and I'll stay ready"

Well he did and contributed by hit big shots to push the lead out.
Similar to what Tony Parker did in the finals last year. He knew the Heat were gearing their defense to stop him and he had to trust his teammates and stay ready...
Not comparing Tony parker to Lillard. Just using him as an example of maturity.

 

[Strenuus]

that moment where someone takes a stance on something, and can never let it go, no matter the facts.... but please, keep posting... your avatar is the only redeeming thing about your posts now.

 

[3RA1N1AC]

As tough as it is to say, westchuck is viewed as superior by pretty much everyone except blazer fans.

But we are all blazer fans so gtfo with this shit

 

[Shooter]

that moment where someone takes a stance on something, and can never let it go, no matter the facts....

Yep, half of this board is desperately trying to argue that Lillard is better than Westbrook, no matter what the "facts" said the other night.

 

[Shooter]

As tough as it is to say, westchuck is viewed as superior by pretty much everyone except blazer fans.

But we are all blazer fans so gtfo with this shit

I'm a huge Blazer fan. I've just never understood why being a fan means you can't tell the truth about one of your own players. Lillard is special, but he got taken to school in every which way by Russell Westbrook the other night. Big deal. It happened, and now it's over. Life goes on. Lillard will get better. The Blazers will win a lot of games this year. We'll all have a lot of fun. Life is good.

 

[Strenuus]

Yep, half of this board is desperately trying to argue that Lillard is better than Westbrook, no matter what the "facts" said the other night.

and the other keeps thinking people are saying lillard is better than rw... despite people saying rw is the better athlete and played a hell of a good half... youre in too deep, but you can get out. its okay,we still love you.

 

[riverman]

Yep, half of this board is desperately trying to argue that Lillard is better than Westbrook, no matter what the "facts" said the other night.

Team ball trumps ballhog ball. We put the better team on the court and we finished the game much better. Westbrook could not score on Nico in the 4th. The strategy actually worked to perfection. Westbrook was gassed after 3 qtrs but he did get his stats. Lillard had an off 1st half. So what. We have a lot of guys contributing and in the end we blew them out.

 

[Strenuus]

I'm a huge Blazer fan. I've just never understood why being a fan means you can't tell the truth about one of your own players. Lillard is special, but he got taken to school in every which by Russell Westbrook the other night. Big deal. It happened, and now it's over. Life goes on. Lillard will get better. The Blazers will win a lot of games this year. We'll all have a lot of fun. Life is good.

rw did.. for one half. accept that and move on. its okay to be half right.

 

[Shooter]

Team ball trumps ballhog ball.

Yes, it usually does. But I didn't see a lot of team ball from the Blazers. I saw us missing a lot of shots through most of the game, and then finally heating up in the fourth quarter. To be honest, OKC was moving the ball better than we were most of the night. We just finally got untracked late in the game, hit some big shots, and got our confidence up.

Lillard had an off 1st half. So what.

Yes, Lillard had an "off" first half, but he also couldn't stop Westbrook to save his life. That's not being "off," that's being incapable of guarding a guy.

We had a lot of guys contributing and in the end we blew them out.

Yes, and I'm happy about that. The Blazers won, and we got to see an amazing performance by Westbrook.

 

[KingSpeed]

Lillard > Westbrook

Look at the 4th quarter numbers. Lillard saves his best for last. He never tried to show off. He could have taken 25-30 shots and got high scoring numbers. But he played within the team framework. Then when his team needed him, he scores 7 points in the 4th quarter and his team gets the win. Westbrook was all about showing off and then he was too tired to close the deal. MAYBE Westbrook is the better one on one player but that is not what this league is about. Westbrook should've been setting up Perry Jones and Ibaka throughout the night. That's what Telfair did and Thunder almost beat the Clippers. When Westbroom played (against Blazers), he got blown out.

 

[KingSpeed]

Yes, it usually does. But I didn't see a lot of team ball from the Blazers. I saw us missing a lot of shots through most of the game, and then finally heating up in the fourth quarter. To be honest, OKC was moving the ball better than we were most of the night. We just finally got untracked late in the game, hit some big shots, and got our confidence up.


Yes, Lillard had an "off" first half, but he also couldn't stop Westbrook to save his life. That's not being "off," that's being incapable of guarding a guy.


Yes, and I'm happy about that. The Blazers won, and we got to see an amazing performance by Westbrook.

It wasn't an amazing performance.

 

[Strenuus]

It wasn't an amazing performance.

parts of it were. but not that second half.

 

[Hobbesarable]

parts of it were. but not that second half.

Yeah, he scored 30 by the early part of the 3rd quarter.

 

[e_blazer]

Wes and Blake couldn't stop Westbrook, either, and Nic only slowed him down a bit. Great offense is unstoppable in the NBA. Lillard has had more than a few of those offensive nights himself.

 

[KingSpeed]

parts of it were. but not that second half.

Any performance that involves choking when it matters is not an amazing performance.