[Purple Haize]

Thus referred to as the NBE.

[RubberMallet]

Magic Johnson called Westbrook's performance last night the worst PG performance in an NBA finals...ever.

Through 3 quarters you've got Durant 7-12 from the floor and Harden 5-7. 19 combined shots. Westbrook was 6-18. He's not a PG and he's a detriment to the team if his shot isn't falling because he cannot run an offense.

unless its that spot up shot at the free throw line or his drive to the lane, he should not be shooting anything else.

am i the only one that thinks that durant should shoot 30-35 times a game the rest of the series? un. stoppable.

[R i]

The NBA is back. It lost its appeal for a few years, but this has been great sport entertainment.

Advantage - Miami

Two Highly talented teams playing at very high levels, its been both.

Mallot- Mj use to say the reason he didnt shoot everytime is because his team gave a better effort on the defensive end if they were scoring. But Im with ya man, KD is about as pure a scorer as I have seen.

[RubberMallet]

you don't need to shoot every time but your best shooters need to be taking the most shots. the bulls won the majority of their playoff games when jordan shot 25 or more times a game during their run. i would bet 65-70% of them. not that there is really any direct correlation to those 2 things.

[lynchburgwildcats]

Westbrook could tbe the best shooting guard in the league, which is where he really should be playing. I'd rather have Harden, Durant, or Fisher running the point than Westbrook. Westbrook has his good games, like game one, where you think maybe he can be a PG, then he backs it up with the complete disaster of game two. I'm not sure if he's ever going to the a championship caliber PG, he just hasn't really shown consistent improvement in decision making and he has played every single game in his four-year career. In fact, this year he had a career low assist rate at 17.7, his second worst year was his rookie year at 21.8

[RubberMallet]

Westbrook could tbe the best shooting guard in the league, which is where he really should be playing. I'd rather have Harden, Durant, or Fisher running the point than Westbrook. Westbrook has his good games, like game one, where you think maybe he can be a PG, then he backs it up with the complete disaster of game two. I'm not sure if he's ever going to the a championship caliber PG, he just hasn't really shown consistent improvement in decision making and he has played every single game in his four-year career. In fact, this year he had a career low assist rate at 17.7, his second worst year was his rookie year at 21.8

he wasn't a pg in college if i remember. i could be wrong there though. they were pigeon holing him there out of necessity. dfish isn't all that and a bag of doritos so someone has to run the point.

[ALUmnus]

Am I stupid for thinking Westbrook has been overrated and overhyped for about two years now? I mean, I keep hearing ad nauseum that he's the most athletic player in the NBA. Uh, do you realize what a remarkable statement that is? I just don't see it.

I'm not saying he's not an important player, but I think people have been pushing his stardom a little too much.

[BJWilliams]

Westbrook could tbe the best shooting guard in the league, which is where he really should be playing. I'd rather have Harden, Durant, or Fisher running the point than Westbrook. Westbrook has his good games, like game one, where you think maybe he can be a PG, then he backs it up with the complete disaster of game two. I'm not sure if he's ever going to the a championship caliber PG, he just hasn't really shown consistent improvement in decision making and he has played every single game in his four-year career. In fact, this year he had a career low assist rate at 17.7, his second worst year was his rookie year at 21.8

he wasn't a pg in college if i remember. i could be wrong there though. they were pigeon holing him there out of necessity. dfish isn't all that and a bag of doritos so someone has to run the point.

D isnt getting any younger so theyre probably gonna have to hope that a top flight PG comes available in free agency or they can find someone that is ready to play right away in the draft

[lynchburgwildcats]

Westbrook could tbe the best shooting guard in the league, which is where he really should be playing. I'd rather have Harden, Durant, or Fisher running the point than Westbrook. Westbrook has his good games, like game one, where you think maybe he can be a PG, then he backs it up with the complete disaster of game two. I'm not sure if he's ever going to the a championship caliber PG, he just hasn't really shown consistent improvement in decision making and he has played every single game in his four-year career. In fact, this year he had a career low assist rate at 17.7, his second worst year was his rookie year at 21.8

he wasn't a pg in college if i remember. i could be wrong there though. they were pigeon holing him there out of necessity. dfish isn't all that and a bag of doritos so someone has to run the point.

Westbrook wasn't a PG until he got to the NBA, he didn't even play it in high school.

OKC could really use what Maynor brings to the table. Remember when last year he'd often get lots of fourth quarter minutes running the point because Westbrook would be playing like a chicken with his head cut off? I think Fisher is a valuable player for them, a backcourt veteran with mucho championship experience, but Maynor would be a considerable improvement as the backup PG from a skills standpoint.

[lynchburgwildcats]

Westbrook could tbe the best shooting guard in the league, which is where he really should be playing. I'd rather have Harden, Durant, or Fisher running the point than Westbrook. Westbrook has his good games, like game one, where you think maybe he can be a PG, then he backs it up with the complete disaster of game two. I'm not sure if he's ever going to the a championship caliber PG, he just hasn't really shown consistent improvement in decision making and he has played every single game in his four-year career. In fact, this year he had a career low assist rate at 17.7, his second worst year was his rookie year at 21.8

he wasn't a pg in college if i remember. i could be wrong there though. they were pigeon holing him there out of necessity. dfish isn't all that and a bag of doritos so someone has to run the point.

D isnt getting any younger so theyre probably gonna have to hope that a top flight PG comes available in free agency or they can find someone that is ready to play right away in the draft

I really think they should try to trade Westbrook away for a more "traditional" but still young PG. Someone like a Deron Williams, Rajon Rondo, John Wall, or Ty Lawson could be good fits to name a few. Westbrook clearly needs to be a player shooting a lot while those guys would be more content to take a backseat to at least Durant as far as shot attempts. Williams would be arguably their second best scorer, so I'm not sure if he should pass up on shots for Harden, but I think he could live with it. The rest of that group would be more than happy to make the passes.

They'll have a big issue next summer, James Harden and Serge Ibaka are going to be restricted free agents. THeya re going to command pay days likely starting at a minimum $10 million a year. They can pay Durant close to $20m, Westbrook close to $15m, and Harden and Ibaka for a combined $20+m and have a decent supporting cast without having to pay a very significant sum in luxury tax. They could probably keep three and try to do like the Heat are doing with three studs and then a bunch of fillers, but four is going to be mighty tough to pull off.

If it were me and they hadn't traded Westbrook by then, I'd try to keep Ibaka and Harden and trade away Westbrook to a team with a cheaper PG who will be content to just run the offense and score when he gets chances rather than looking to score. I'm thinking someone in the mold of a Kidd, Rubio, Andre Miller, Mike Conley, and Greivis Vasquez (yes Vasquez, he was 10th in the NBA this year in assists per 48) as far as passing goes. Maybe not those guys, but those type of players. Or perhaps let Maynor take over the starting duties...

[flamehunter]

I know of a point guard recently graduated who would be very willing to let durant, et al take all the shots. One of the top assist guys in the NCAA.

[BJWilliams]

wait...Machado graduated too?

[thepostman]

lebron is doing a good job of making me look foolish...he has had a great playoff run. Even in the game 1 loss his play was solid.

Maybe all he needed was a little negative reinforcement from me, right??? haha

[lynchburgwildcats]

I know of a point guard recently graduated who would be very willing to let durant, et al take all the shots. One of the top assist guys in the NCAA.

Marshall won't be available at the 28th pick in the draft though...

[BJWilliams]

you know the world isnt just about Duke, UK and UNC shuk...I think Machado has the chance to be the top PG in this draft

[Purple Haize]

lebron is doing a good job of making me look foolish...he has had a great playoff run. Even in the game 1 loss his play was solid.

Maybe all he needed was a little negative reinforcement from me, right??? haha

He played much better in Game 2. Game 1 was typical LeBron IMO. Wade really stepped up in game 2 and I just think LeBron plays better when he isn't the focus. I know, I'm crazy, but it's my opinion. Now it may just be that's he needs another 'solid' player on the floor and Wade plays that role. But the bank from the wing and the 2 FTs were solid. However, settling for the top of the key 3 the possession or 2 before was 'typical LeBron'
One thing to watch for. Most of the time when he goes right, he's going to the whole. He goes left he pulls up for a jumper. And his post defense is atrocious

[lynchburgwildcats]

lebron is doing a good job of making me look foolish...he has had a great playoff run. Even in the game 1 loss his play was solid.

Maybe all he needed was a little negative reinforcement from me, right??? haha

He played much better in Game 2. Game 1 was typical LeBron IMO. Wade really stepped up in game 2 and I just think LeBron plays better when he isn't the focus. I know, I'm crazy, but it's my opinion. Now it may just be that's he needs another 'solid' player on the floor and Wade plays that role. But the bank from the wing and the 2 FTs were solid. However, settling for the top of the key 3 the possession or 2 before was 'typical LeBron'
One thing to watch for. Most of the time when he goes right, he's going to the whole. He goes left he pulls up for a jumper. And his post defense is atrocious

At least he tries on post defense. When Durant checks LeBron in the post, might as well just add two points on the scoreboard and just give the ball back to the Thunder instead of wasting everyone's time waiting for the inevitable LeBron bucket.

[lynchburgwildcats]

you know the world isnt just about Duke, UK and UNC shuk...I think Machado has the chance to be the top PG in this draft

Machado isn't even projected to be close to a first rounder. WOuld be one major reach for the Thunder to draft him. Even if they think he is worth that pick, they could draft down at least 10 spots and still get him. DraftExpress, which has proven to be the most accurate year-over-year, have him going to Boston with the 21st pick...in the second round. ESPN doesn't have a second round for their mock draft yet, but they have him ranked 37th on the Chad Ford Big Board. I would cite NBAdraft.net, but based on their current mock draft, I don't think they pay a lick of attention to anything anymore...

[BJWilliams]

Marshall is good I will agree, but if he put up his numbers with say...Creighton, he's probably not getting the play he's getting.

[Cider Jim]

One thing to watch for. Most of the time when he goes right, he's going to the whole. He goes left he pulls up for a jumper.

Is that your own analysis, or did you borrow that intell from a real HC, like MRS. Purple?

[Purple Haize]

One thing to watch for. Most of the time when he goes right, he's going to the whole. He goes left he pulls up for a jumper.

Is that your own analysis, or did you borrow that intell from a real HC, like MRS. Purple?

No. Thank you very much. That was my own analysis. Shes the one who rips his defense. It's those years spent picking apart game film that gives me this keen insight! That'd is a role too far beneath a head coach!

[lynchburgwildcats]

Marshall is good I will agree, but if he put up his numbers with say...Creighton, he's probably not getting the play he's getting.

If he was playing at Creighton, he'd be doing a lot more, not just putting up the same stats. He didn't have to do anything but pass and make layups at UNC since they had all that talent. He wouldn't have that luxury at Creighton and he'd be asked to contribute in the scoring department...

[Purple Haize]

This series is going to get HUGE numbers. I know they are big now but if this goes to a game 7 those numbers will be walking over Niagara Falls big.
Also, looking forward to seeing Last Resort this fall and not sure how I feel about the Total Recall redux.

[lynchburgwildcats]

LeBron with another supremely clutch performance tonight. Where are the LeBron haters saying he isn't clutch??

[NotAJerry]

Bosh's help defense tonight made the biggest difference as it cut off some of the easy baskets that OKC could have had after beating their defenders. The OKC stretch of dumb fouls/missed free throws didn't help either.