After watching the first two games of the 2012 Western
Conference Finals, we can tell OKC is overmatched. They handled the Dallas
Mavericks and Los Angeles Lakers in the first two rounds, but something is
seriously lacking in a supremely talented Oklahoma City squad. Even though they
have the best scorer in the game, three-time scoring champion Kevin Durant,
they won’t be able to win a ring with the team they have now.
OKC has
three scorers that need more shots per game than they can get. One of them
needs to go in favor of a traditional point guard or scoring post presence.
Kevin Durant has won the past three scoring titles in the NBA and has come
up big in clutch situations in his young career – obviously he
is the centerpiece to build the organization around. He isn’t going anywhere.
James
Harden is the 2012 Sixth Man of the Year. He provides a well-rounded, low
maintenance scoring threat that can go off for 30 points like he did against San Antonio on Tuesday. He compliments Kevin
Durant nicely because of his ability to penetrate and kick as well as score and
play lock down defense.
And then
there’s Russell Westbrook. No question, he is one of the best players in the
NBA right now. The two-time All-Star averaged nearly 24 points per game
alongside the scoring champion, showing the amazing capability the guard has to
score. But his style of play does not go well with Durant. Possession after
possession, Westbrook pulls up for a quick free-throw line jump shot early in
the shot clock and prevents development of team-oriented basketball. Even though
he can (and has) made those shots, when it comes time for a deep playoff run
those shots will inevitably stop falling. The lack of chemistry in passing
shines through painfully. You know it’s bad when the announcers voice their
annoyance at Westbrook’s repeated dribbling without purpose.
Looking
at their counterpart in the Conference Finals, you can see exactly the power of
chemistry and a well-built team. San Antonio has a near perfect blend of
talent, experience, and team chemistry that led them to win their first ten
games of the postseason. So who should the Thunder trade for?
The
reality is they are in an excellent position. Russell Westbrook’s talent will
command a top player in return, so they should be able to fill one – if not
both – of their aforementioned needs (traditional point guard or scoring post
presence) to become perennial championship threats.
Dwight
Howard seems to want out of Orlando (again), he would certainly fit the bill
and add another incredible defensive presence in the middle. David Lee from
Golden State has been performing at a high level and a three team trade putting
Lee in an OKC jersey could help. (Golden State probably doesn’t want Westbrook,
a glorified version of recently traded Monta Ellis.) If New Orleans for could
be convinced to trade their top pick in the draft for a deal involving
Westbrook, Anthony Davis from Kentucky might not be a bad idea either.
In terms
of the other approach, there are some point guards that could help get the
Thunder over the hump. Deron Williams would be great, but he is being
entertained by other teams that probably have more realistic chances of
courting the premiere point guard on the market. John Wall would probably
welcome a change of scenery from the losing culture of basketball at the
nation’s capital. And Durant would love to help increase his already solid
average of eight assists per game.
Other
excellent options include free agent point guard Goran Dragic, who averages 18
and 8 in his 28 starts in 2012 as well as free agent Roy Hibbert, who gained
national respect in the Pacers playoff run this year.
The
Thunder have plenty of options, they just need to test the market for
Westbrook. As good as he is, the Thunder will only be a Conference Final team
with him on the roster.
(Note: You can also view
this article on Bleacher Report here.)
As much as I respect your logic, I disagree that the Thunder absolutely need to trade Westbrook. Sure, every single team in this league could use a trade and "become" a Finals contender. And you could say, for any team out there, that trading a star on that team for something they need would be good for them. But that isn't always the case. In some cases, the team just needs time to grow together. The Thunder are young, and they are pretty darn good. Give Westbrook, Durant, and Harden a little more time, and provide some more role players, and they'll find a way into the Finals, with Westbrook.
ReplyDeleteEven though every team could use a trade to become a Finals contender, not every team has the player personnel to give in a trade. The Thunder do, however. Time may certainly help OKC grow, but it is difficult to see how one game has enough shots to satisfy the "Big Three" in OKC.
DeleteUltimately, I think the real difficulty for something like this is finding a place where OKC feels they are getting appropriate value for their young superstar.
In the 10 days that this was posted, OKC went on a 4-game winning streak against arguably the team with the best execution in the NBA. And they did it with Westbrook. Now they find themselves in the Finals, and they are very much Finals contenders, with Russell Westbrook. And even if they don't win this year, which I honestly don't believe they will a very determined Lebron on the other end, the Thunder will still be Finals contenders for years to come. The front office will work on getting role players, but I believe it would be wise for them to maintain this "Big 3" and stick with them until a time comes in the near future when we will no longer need quotations around that term.
ReplyDeleteOn this note, check out the second item of this article:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.grantland.com/blog/the-triangle/post/_/id/46043/overrated-or-underrated-2012-in-sports
It def relates to this haha. Any thoughts?
Interesting and I'd agree. The criticism for Westbrook might be getting more attention than it should considering OKC's success but I still stand by my statements that Westbrook needs to change his style of play to better complement KD. (See this article for a look at how Westbrook actually has changed.)
ReplyDelete