Before we got a team in Oklahoma, the Philly Sixers were easily my favorite NBA team. I was never a Celtics or Lakers fan per se. I watched all their games, but the Sixers had my heart. It started with Hal Greer and Billy Cunningham, then made a turn through the Dr. J era, Charles Barkley, and then Allen Iverson. Some truly great players made their careers in Philly.
So as a Philly fan who’s now a passionate Thunder fan/blogger, I was thinking how fortunate I’ve been to watch some truly great point guards–and don’t forget those two years New Orleans played here in OKC, I got to see Chris Paul win Rookie of the Year and evolve as one of the best point guards in the league.
My favorite NBA team of all-time is the 1983 Sixers team who swept the Lakers in four games to win the NBA Championship. My second favorite team is the 2012 OKC Thunder who lost in five games to LeBron in Miami. My third favorite team is the 1977 Portland Trail Blazers who actually beat my Sixers in six games. That Portland team was perhaps the best passing team I’ve ever seen and coached by Jack Ramsey, who was at one time the Philly head coach. Small world.
So now everyone is saying Westbrook is just a heavier version of Allen Iverson. I don’t think so. There are parts of Iverson in Westbrook’s game, but there are parts of Mo Cheeks and probably Russell’s father inside of Westbrook’s game as well.
Westbrook is completely adaptable to the talent around him. Lest Cupcake and his brother Tony forget–Le Cupcake won four scoring titles in OKC, had that rare gem 40-50-90 season, won an MVP, made it to four conference finals and one NBA finals. What I’m saying is Westbrook held his game back to facilitate Durant. If Durant, his handlers, and brother Tony want to rewrite history that’s their call. As someone who watched all of this–I’d put more of OKC’s inability to get over the top on OKC’s starting shooting guards during the Durant Era, and btw even though I think Andre Roberson is a great kid this still concerns me. Golden State has Klay Thompson, the Thunder have a shooting guard who can’t make free throws. Do the math in a best of seven series, do the math.
If I’m Billy Donovan here’s what I say to Russ, play like Mo Cheeks did in ’83 and see where that takes you. The way Mo Cheeks played the point guard position in ’83 was something to behold. The ball moved exactly where it needed to be and was there when it needed to be there. Dr. J and Moses Malone got their comfort touches, the perimeter guys got their touches, and when needed Cheeks got his points. It was beautiful to watch. I’m hopeful this is the template the Thunder follows this season.
Except for last season, I’ve never thought Westbrook was a ball hog. His usage was high, but for the most part, except for last season when he was surrounded by primarily rookie scale players—the ball has gotten where it needs to be gotten. Did you really want the ball in someone’s else’s hands in Game 6 versus Warriors? No…we just wanted Durant and Westbrook to make the touches count. I mean would we even be having this never ending Westbrook-Cupcake yarn if OKC holds on to the lead those fateful six minutes or so in Game 6?
In closing to all the talking heads who say Westbrook is just a heavier Iverson…I’d say Westbrook is one small part Mo, Cheeks, one small part Allen Iverson, one small part Ray Westbrook, and one big part Russell Westbrook.
That’s what I’d say.
My favorite Iverson video. I love the Rocky dribbling spiel in Philly. Classic.