Golden State Warriors: Comparing Stephen Curry to other NBA guards
By Tony Pesta
3. Russell Westbrook
A triple-double maniac, Russell Westbrook held the crown of second-best point guard in the league in my eyes for nearly five years. We will get to who has surpassed him soon, but for now, let’s focus on what makes Russ so great.
Westbrook is one of the most controversial talents in the league. Analysts either love him or what him. He plays with an out of control behavior and his ill-advised shots often outweigh his incredible production. Regardless of what you think, it’s impossible to deny his effort.
It’s a tall task finding someone who plays with more heart than Westbrook. His constant energy on the floor is a big reason as to why he has averaged a triple-double in three consecutive seasons. His durability is equally as impressive, missing only 14 games in the last four seasons.
His biggest downfall is his style of play. The 2017 MVP is the definition of high-risk high-reward. Averaging 4.5 turnovers a game last year, it’s obvious that his decisions on the court frequently leave him burned.
Last season, Russ made a conscious effort to be more of a team player. Allowing Paul George to freely operate, the Oklahoma City Thunder found much success in the regular season. Hopefully, Westbrook will bring this mentality to the Houston Rockets and find more success with James Harden.