"I don't have to touch the ball to impact the game."

[LoneyROY7]

https://sneakernews.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/jordan-why-not-zer0-2-houston-rockets-pe-2.jpg

People who don't think Russ is capable of playing off-ball successfully are BOUT TO FIND OUT. Homie gonna be slashing like Wade this season. Career highs in efficiency this year? LOADING.

:pimp: :pimp: :pimp:

[Prometheus]

I can't believe he would say such a thing.

[LoneyROY7]

I can't believe he would say such a thing.

Believe it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C4nSjUGbGZs (0:44 mark)

https://media.giphy.com/media/l4FGlvRdGpYyyYDN6/giphy.gif

[Boki4MVP]

The brodie

[Wally450]

I hope he can. Don't take away from the real MVP.

[imdaman99]

Ayo loney, I been rocking my Westbrook jersey at the park to ball and dudes were like nice throwback son :lol

[bison]

#whynot

[Im so nba'd out]

wtf?

They didnt trade for you so you can stand in the corner....i dont like his mindset at all. Yikes, now im worried this trade wont work out again.If he's gonna be a little passive bitch who's scared to step on toes....That is not his game and i'm not sure if he will even be good at that.

[Manny98]

Dem new Rockets unis looking clean :applause:

[Phoenix]

If he can't impact the game off the ball anywhere near the degree he can on-ball, then he's a name on paper. Unless he's drastically improved his shooting or added a post game this off-season, his offensive attack is based off slashing and pull-ups ( and he took a step back in that dept last year). I don't see where this move propels the Rockets beyond the level they've been the last few years, especially because of the moves teams around them have made.

[GreatHILL]

Westbrick is the new Melo

[Xiao Yao You]

should help with rebounding as small as they like to play

[IGOTGAME]

There small ball lineup is going to be electric because of the rebounding and speed Westbrook will bring. Add in Hardens insane skill level and they have just added another dimension.

Also, Westbrook defensively will be fine. Now that he isnt the main guy, he will pull back and spend more energy on defense. He did it a lot more last year too.

[Uncle Drew]

"The biggest strength, I think, of Coach [Mike] D'Antoni and his staff is taking what guys are good at and putting them in ways to succeed, but not saying that they need to change, but figuring out how to utilize their strengths," Morey said. "That's what Mike's done better than any coach I've ever worked with. When you've got two MVPs, it's a lot to work with."

Oof.

[BlakFrankWhite]

Championship cruise!!!!!

[ImKobe]

They better let Russ handle the rock more because passing is his greatest gift, Harden better learn to play a bit more like Curry does in GS if they want to win something. Westbrook is like a smaller version of Draymond (offensively) at this point so I expect to see some creativity from MDA rather than just him making Westbrook a 3rd/4th option on offense.

[FireDavidKahn]

He's 100% right. He'll be making a huge impact for the other team.

[stalkerforlife]

They can win the title.

[sammichoffate]

If WB played off ball like Wade he would've won already.

[AlternativeAcc.]

Rockets with WB will be nowhere near as good as the 2 years prior with CP.

Russ is cancer.

And the Rockets are ****ed. Won't ever sniff a finals.

[Vino24]

He is right. The less he touches the ball the better

[Xiao Yao You]

Rockets with WB will be nowhere near as good as the 2 years prior with CP.

Russ is cancer.

And the Rockets are ****ed. Won't ever sniff a finals.

I think they might do well in the regular season but certainly not when it counts

[BlakFrankWhite]

I think they might do well in the regular season but certainly not when it counts

Rockets have been shitting on the Jazz for the last two years..and with brodie added as well it's gonna be a cakewalk.

[brooks_thompson]

Some people just don't look right in certain jerseys. This is one of the most off-putting I've seen. The Rockets really need to just go back to the McDonald's ketchup and mustard throwbacks. Their jerseys have been the sole reason I've rooted against them for the past 20 years.

Still, I'd love to see Harden-Westbrook do some legitimate damage and maybe even win a title. Both to shut the haters up and because it's one of the most interesting duos ever.

[BarberSchool]

Words and actions differ.
Watch this season.

Also, as a simple matter of fact (bs team rhetoric to fool the slowpokes aside) .......

.... what effect do guards without consistent or efficient 3pt range really do to positively effect an offense unless they touch the ball and slash with it ?

*Crickets*

[BarberSchool]

https://sneakernews.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/jordan-why-not-zer0-2-houston-rockets-pe-2.jpg

People who don't think Russ is capable of playing off-ball successfully are BOUT TO FIND OUT. Homie gonna be slashing like Wade this season. Career highs in efficiency this year? LOADING.

:pimp: :pimp: :pimp:Since when can a player slash without the ball in their hand ? Cuts off the ball do not effect defensive spacing even 10% as much as SLASHING with the ball, genius. Do cuts off the ball have an effect ? Sure they do. To what degree does that impact a defense ? Clearly much less than you'd hope.

[BarberSchool]

I think they might do well in the regular season but certainly not when it countsRussell will score 40 on bad teams with Harden resting cheering Russ goofy a$$ on.

Players who rely on turnovers and fast breaks to prop up their inflated numbers, ALWAYS do better in regular season than the playoffs. Problem is, in the playoffs, you're facing the better, higher efficiency teams, who commit less turnovers. The game slows down, teams never take a possession off, anbd get back on defense every single posession. Halfcourt efficiency, ball movement, and solid team defense win every year in the playoffs this last decade. The era of selfish low efficiency iso scoring having a chance in the playoffs, dried up shortly after zone was legal again. R.I.P.

So those easy transition buckets Russ is used to getting all regular seasons, dry up. He gets frustrated when he looks up at the scoreboard and sees a line a little less than he likes, and pushes when he shouldn't. harden's turnovers are high, but have more value in testing defensive cracks than most of Russ's record setting turnovers do. Russ has more RECKLESS, impulsive, visionless turnovers than any superstar I have ever seen.

Ol slowpoke, smashing the triangle thru the circle shape @ss nicca, Russ is.

https://tipspoke.com/pix/p7092/Tupperware%20shape%20sorter.jpg

[Meticode]

Raphel Ninja Turtle Mode activated.

[warriorfan]

Russell will score 40 on bad teams with Harden resting cheering Russ goofy a$$ on.

Players who rely on turnovers and fast breaks to prop up their inflated numbers, ALWAYS do better in regular season than the playoffs. Problem is, in the playoffs, you're facing the better, higher efficiency teams, who commit less turnovers. The game slows down, teams never take a possession off, anbd get back on defense every single posession. Halfcourt efficiency, ball movement, and solid team defense win every year in the playoffs this last decade. The era of selfish low efficiency iso scoring having a chance in the playoffs, dried up shortly after zone was legal again. R.I.P.

So those easy transition buckets Russ is used to getting all regular seasons, dry up. He gets frustrated when he looks up at the scoreboard and sees a line a little less than he likes, and pushes when he shouldn't. harden's turnovers are high, but have more value in testing defensive cracks than most of Russ's record setting turnovers do. Russ has more RECKLESS, impulsive, visionless turnovers than any superstar I have ever seen.

Ol slowpoke, smashing the triangle thru the circle shape @ss nicca, Russ is.

https://tipspoke.com/pix/p7092/Tupperware%20shape%20sorter.jpg

:roll:

[Xiao Yao You]

Rockets have been shitting on the Jazz for the last two years..and with brodie added as well it's gonna be a cakewalk.

Been shitting on them because of the Jazz bad offense. They now have a great offense and they shitted on Westbrook two years ago. Good luck! :cheers:

[Kblaze8855]

Russells turnover count from 2017 is exceeded by only one player in history. James Harden from the same season. I

[imdaman99]

A lot of Westbrook's turnovers have been because teams pack the paint against OKC and Russ tries to forcefeed Adams. Hopefully with some shooting around him, he will cut down on turnovers and pass to corner 3s. Pretty sure he had the 2nd most assists to corners in the NBA last year... and that was with OKC shooting and his own lack of shooting.

Has to play like Wade did once Lebron took over the team.

[LoneyROY7]

A lot of Westbrook's turnovers have been because teams pack the paint against OKC and Russ tries to forcefeed Adams. Hopefully with some shooting around him, he will cut down on turnovers and pass to corner 3s. Pretty sure he had the 2nd most assists to corners in the NBA last year... and that was with OKC shooting and his own lack of shooting.

Has to play like Wade did once Lebron took over the team.

Definitely envisioning that kind of play-style for Russ.

The thing is, those last 3 years of the Heatles, Wade was really slowing down. Russ isn't, which could make him a lot more dangerous.

[Kblaze8855]

https://thumbs.gfycat.com/BitterCalmArachnid-small.gif

[FireDavidKahn]

https://thumbs.gfycat.com/BitterCalmArachnid-small.gif
Here's a better version.

https://twitter.com/TheHoopCentral/status/1155248024429326336

[LoneyROY7]

So 2K has Houston hitting game-winners on GS too. Nice! :applause: :applause:

[Xiao Yao You]

So 2k has Houston hitting game-winners on GS too. Nice! :applause: :applause:

too bad GS isn't the team to beat anymore

[LoneyROY7]

too bad GS isn't the team to beat anymore

Is it the Jazz now? :lol :lol

[Xiao Yao You]

Is it the Jazz now? :lol :lol

and the Clippers and Denver

[LoneyROY7]

and the Clippers and Denver

:oldlol: :oldlol: :oldlol:

Clippers have a case. Your team and Denver don't.

[Xiao Yao You]

:oldlol: :oldlol: :oldlol:

Clippers have a case. Your team and Denver don't.

Why not? Great offense and great defense makes Utah one of the best now. Denver was one of the best a year ago and should only be better

[LoneyROY7]

Why not? Great offense and great defense makes Utah one of the best now. Denver was one of the best a year ago and should only be better

The Jazz still don't have a top 15 player on their team...hard sell in league that's now led by superstar duos.

Denver has plenty to prove. They couldn't get past Portland in the playoffs (who got swept the next round).

[Xiao Yao You]

The Jazz still don't have a top 15 player on their team...hard sell in league that's now led by superstar duos.

Denver has plenty to prove. They couldn't get past Portland in the playoffs (who got swept the next round).

Gobert is top 5-10.

[LoneyROY7]

Gobert is top 5-10.

Jesus.

:roll: :roll: :roll:

[Xiao Yao You]

Jesus.

:roll: :roll: :roll:

How is he not? Best defensive player and one of the best offensive players who should be a lot better now that they finally have a team built around him on offense for the first time.

3rd in off. Reb./7th off. reb %- This might go up with the increased spacing they will have though they will be making more shots now

3rd in off. rating

2nd in win shares

4th in VORP

1st in FG% including a new record for dunks the most effective shot in the game. Vertical spacing!

10th in player efficiency

2nd in win shares per 48

3rd team all league. Isn't that top 15? :confusedshrug:

18th in 2 pt FG's

2nd in Rebounds

2nd in 2 pt FG%

1st in true FG%

4th in total reb %

4th in off. win shares

6th in box plus/minus

6th in FTA

4th in Reb a game

1st in effective FG%

This doesn't include his league leading screen assists which amounts to 10-15 points a game.

Don't see how you can argue he isn't top 10 probably top 5.

Should be a leading MVP candidate now with the team around him :cheers:

[Kblaze8855]

Don't see how you can argue he isn't top 10 probably top 5.


Every single person....and I do mean 100% of people on this planet not biased by fanhood disagrees.

At least when you get to the top five portion. I

[Xiao Yao You]

[QUOTE=Kblaze8855]Every single person....and I do mean 100% of people on this planet not biased by fanhood disagrees.

At least when you get to the top five portion. I

[Kblaze8855]

DeAndre Jordan was first team all NBA. Whatever my feelings on your clear bias I know you aren

[Xiao Yao You]

[QUOTE=Kblaze8855]DeAndre Jordan was first team all NBA. Whatever my feelings on your clear bias I know you aren

[Kblaze8855]

Correct. Jordan was never as good as gobert is now. He will still all NBA first team.....

That spot means little for a center. Or at least before Jokic and Embiid came to life. With any luck we will have another era where all three all NBA centers would be great but that

[kuniva_dAMiGhTy]

On offense?

Yeah...that's debatable :oldlol:

[Xiao Yao You]

[QUOTE=Kblaze8855]Correct. Jordan was never as good as gobert is now. He will still all NBA first team.....

That spot means little for a center. Or at least before Jokic and Embiid came to life. With any luck we will have another era where all three all NBA centers would be great but that

[LoneyROY7]

Rudy Gobert is not a top 10 player. Top 5 is just f*cking laughable. This man can't outplay Clint Capela in the playoffs.

Responding to yourself in the Jazz forum doesn't count as someone agreeing. :lol

[warriorfan]

Rudy Gobert is not a top 10 player. Top 5 is just f*cking laughable. This man can't outplay Clint Capela in the playoffs.

Responding to yourself in the Jazz forum doesn't count as someone agreeing. :lol

https://gifrific.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/kevin-garnett-reaction.gif

[Xiao Yao You]

Rudy Gobert is not a top 10 player. Top 5 is just f*cking laughable. This man can't outplay Clint Capela in the playoffs.

Responding to yourself in the Jazz forum doesn't count as someone agreeing. :lol

He can't outplay Capela and Harden at the same time.

[LoneyROY7]

He can't outplay Capela and Harden at the same time.

Clint Capela 2018 playoffs vs. Gobert: 13/11
Rudy Gobert 2018 playoffs vs. Capela: 12/10

Clint Capela 2019 playoffs vs. Gobert: 11/10
Rudy Gobert 2o19 playoffs vs. Capela: 11/10

Yeesh.

[Xiao Yao You]

Clint Capela 2018 playoffs vs. Gobert: 13/11
Rudy Gobert 2018 playoffs vs. Capela: 12/10

Clint Capela 2019 playoffs vs. Gobert: 11/10
Rudy Gobert 2o19 playoffs vs. Capela: 11/10

Yeesh.

It's a team sport. Gobert had to choose between Harden and Capela. With most teams he can cover both guys. They are too good. It will be a different story this year if Houston is unfortunate enough to play them.

[LoneyROY7]

Imagine thinking a guy that plays Clint Capela to standstill is a top 5 player. :lol :lol

[Kblaze8855]

Everything is taken into consideration.

Ive watched them both.

No doubt Gobert is a great defender....but not great enough to make up for his offensive contribution being mostly garbage buckets and being a really really effective screen setter. I will certainly grant that players like him are hard to rank because many of their contributions are tough to quantify....

But him being top five?

I don’t care what group of people you asked. You could ask NBA coaches or GM’s or scouts. You could ask players. He’s not getting chosen top 5.

A defensive player needs more offensive ability to get that status and always has.

Not like it’s unheard of for people who can defend like him to also be incredibly polished on offense. I agree with your general line of thinking that people who only play offense will often be given higher rankings than people who play defense mostly....but that’s not an issue once you reach as high as you’re talking.

Plenty of people who are great on both ends still aren’t top five Because when you get that high you’re talking about unquestioned first ballot Hall of Famer’s.

Rudy is a very good player but his historical comparisons are nothing like the comparisons of the people in question. He is a fringe all star. And despite the flaws in that process the coaches actually pick 14 of the players. They don’t seem as impressed as you do. You’re a fan and from what I can tell a very attentive fan and I respect that.

But....a lot of people with no reason to dislike him don’t think he’s an elite player. I’m sure you watch him closer than most people do but all those people watch their team closer than you do so that doesn’t get us anywhere.

He has a great team this year and I expect him to finally make the All-Star game and maybe even make some noise in the playoffs....but he’s closer to Hassan Whiteside of a few years ago than he is to being the kind of legend top 5 players always are.

[Xiao Yao You]

Imagine thinking a guy that plays Clint Capela to standstill is a top 5 player. :lol :lol

Imagine thinking an all NBA player isn't in the top 15 or that Harden had nothing to do with Capela's play

[Xiao Yao You]

[QUOTE=Kblaze8855]Everything is taken into consideration.

Ive watched them both.

No doubt Gobert is a great defender....but not great enough to make up for his offensive contribution being mostly garbage buckets and being a really really effective screen setter. I will certainly grant that players like him are hard to rank because many of their contributions are tough to quantify....

But him being top five?

I don

[LoneyROY7]

Imagine thinking an all NBA player isn't in the top 15 or that Harden had nothing to do with Capela's play

Because an all-nba selection automatically deems a player top 15, right? Didn't kblaze already mention DeAndre Jordan to you?

And I can link you to a very popular basketball message board that does an annual top 25 players vote. They're onto either number 11 or 12 now. Guess who hasn't been chosen yet? Rudy Gobert.

[Xiao Yao You]

Because an all-nba selection automatically deems a player top 15, right? Didn't kblaze already mention DeAndre Jordan to you?

And I can link you to a very popular basketball message board that does an annual top 25 players vote. They're onto either number 11 or 12 now. Guess who hasn't been chosen yet? Rudy Gobert.

Another board of people that don't appreciate a guy that single handedly keeps his team out of the lottery in the west. I'm amazed!

[LoneyROY7]

Another board of people that don't appreciate a guy that single handedly keeps his team out of the lottery in the west. I'm amazed!

Or just more confirmation you're out of your mind.

[Kblaze8855]

He should be a two time all-star. He's not on the fringe. There aren't 12 players in the conference better than him

He might not make the all-star team with Conley, Mitchell, and Bojan now in the mix. Even many people that watch the Jazz will tell you Mitchell, Snyder and Lindsey are why the Jazz do anything not the guy that has carried them for 4 1/2 years!

Obviously he is on the fringe....or below it. But you arent being reasonable right now so I

[Xiao Yao You]

[QUOTE=Kblaze8855]Obviously he is on the fringe....or below it. But you arent being reasonable right now so I

[Overdrive]

Now it's unreasonable to think there aren't 12 players in the conference better than him?

Doesn't matter if some guards are worse than him.

[tpols]

Rudy Gobert is not a top 10 player. Top 5 is just f*cking laughable. This man can't outplay Clint Capela in the playoffs.

Responding to yourself in the Jazz forum doesn't count as someone agreeing. :lol


He's a better asset for any team than Westbrook is. At any price too.

Imagine Houston with Rudy, they'd be unstoppable, harden has elevated a no name Capella to near all stardom.

[Xiao Yao You]

He's a better asset for any team than Westbrook is. At any price too.

Imagine Houston with Rudy, they'd be unstoppable, harden has elevated a no name Capella to near all stardom.

someone has been paying attention. Houston would probably have at least two titles with Gobert instead of Capela. Jazz would have two lottery selections with Capela instead of Gobert

[Kblaze8855]

He

[LoneyROY7]

[QUOTE=Kblaze8855]He

[Xiao Yao You]

[QUOTE=Kblaze8855]He

[tpols]

[QUOTE=Kblaze8855]He

[LoneyROY7]

Only Shaun Livingston.

You've taken a hard L on this subject, playa.

Yeah b/c that's a great take, right? :oldlol: :oldlol: :oldlol:

[tpols]

Yeah b/c that's a great take, right? :oldlol: :oldlol: :oldlol:


I'm trolling you mate.

But on the real westbrick has tanked his rep and game ever since our debates began in ~ 2016. Couldn't have underachieved harder in the playoffs personally and team wise.

I wish him luck in Houston but won't hold me breath

[LoneyROY7]

I'm trolling you mate.

But on the real westbrick has tanked his rep and game ever since our debates began in ~ 2016. Couldn't have underachieved harder in the playoffs personally and team wise.

I wish him luck in Houston but won't hold me breath

At least you brought this thread rightfully back to Westbrook. :applause:

Enough Gobert hijacking nonsense.

[Akeem34TheDream]

Who is mor delusional? Giannis fan or this guy?

[Kblaze8855]

Only Shaun Livingston.

You've taken a hard L on this subject, playa.


You

[Smoke117]

should help with rebounding as small as they like to play

You're joking, right? All of his rebounds come from bigs blocking out and Westbrick grabbing bunny rebounds not defending his man. There was a number of how much players contests 3pt shots a couple years ago and he was BOTTOM FIVE...AS A POINT GUARD. He literally contested less three-pointers than most of the centers in the league because he was too busy going to grab bunny rebounds. Get a clue, chief. Just because you're a mormon doesn't mean you have to be as retarded in basketball as you are in real life day to day activities.

[Xiao Yao You]

You're joking, right? All of his rebounds come from bigs blocking out and Westbrick grabbing bunny rebounds not defending his man. There was a number of how much players contests 3pt shots a couple years ago and he was BOTTOM FIVE...AS A POINT GUARD. He literally contested less three-pointers than most of the centers in the league because he was too busy going to grab bunny rebounds. Get a clue, chief. Just because you're a mormon doesn't mean you have to be as retarded in basketball as you are in real life day to day activities.

I'm not mormon and you being an alcoholic doesn't mean you have to be a dick here like you are in your everyday life

[Rudeboy3]

lol @ any dipshit who believes that. You don't lead or either come second in usage the past 3-4 years then start playing off ball. It doesn't work like that, neither Harden or Westbrook utilize any off ball movement, if they don't have the rock they just stand there.


And wtf can westbrook even do offball? He's an awful shooter, his finish @ the rim is pretty bad, so he won't be that great of a cutter. Westbrook is also a mediocre defender, overly too aggressive try to chase steals.

[Rudeboy3]

Who is mor delusional? Giannis fan or this guy?
Hakeem butt boy, mad that Giannis>>>Hakeem huh? Lmao, i impregnated your mind boy :roll:

[LAVAR BALL]

I didn't like CP3 in Houston

I totally hate Russ in there. I doubt him or Harden will be OK to leave handle duties to the other, i don't see none of them playing Off-Ball. Harden has the better shoot but is not the kind to run through screen all games and Westbrook's shoot ha sbeen shaky all of last year, bad news for a team relying mainly on ...3 pts Shooting

Except if Russ is in charge of the fast-break and Harden playing half-court set...I don't see how doe sit work Skillset wise

(and we're still talking about 2 of the last 3 MVP ...)

[eliteballer]

Russ has the talent to do it.

It's not the talent that's the issue, it's the mindset.

Looks like he's motivated to do it.

[AirBonner]

Westbrook will average a triple double while Harden averages 35+ppg. They obviously CAN play together :bowdown:

[LoneyROY7]

Westbrook will average a triple double while Harden averages 35+ppg. They obviously CAN play together :bowdown:

Russ averaging a triple double and Harden averaging 37 after tonight. :oldlol: :oldlol:

AMAZING fit.

[DoctorP]

****ing NUTS

[imdaman99]

All of his rebounds come from bigs blocking out and Westbrick grabbing bunny rebounds not defending his man.
You ever watch Westbrook play before? :biggums: Is Steven Adams still boxing out for him now? No wait, lemme guess, it's PJ Tucker when he plays center at the end of games.

[LoneyROY7]

Westbrook is probably the pound-for-pound best rebounder in the game.

https://media.giphy.com/media/QBjq17NrHpqCqdQpqU/giphy.gif

Game on the line. Harden gets into the paint, but misses the lay-up. Riss with the tip in to cut it to 2.