NBA Playoffs: Conference Finals Thread

[WTSooner]

Not always.

I notice that you haven't responded to any of the others stats...specifically the number of shots taken per 48. It's cool though, haters gonna hate

Because I don't think it has anything to do with this conversation? Neither of them play 48 minutes per game? I also rattled off a few stats you didn't respond to. lol

 

[SoonerBounce13]

Because I don't think it has anything to do with this conversation? Neither of them play 48 minutes per game?

Oh, didn't realize you didn't know about the significance of per 48. it's a useful tool to compare apples to apples. Russ may shoot it way more than parker but russ also plays way more than parker.

If you like, I could break it down by shots per minute since they both play at least a minute a game

I also rattled off a few stats you didn't respond to. lol

which ones?

 

[SoonerBounce13]

If you are talking about your 11 shots per game more commment than you need to check your math.

In this series:
Parker 13.5
Westbrook 22

8.5 ppg difference

This series per 48:
Parker 22
Westbrook 29

 

[WTSooner]

If you are talking about your 11 shots per game more commment than you need to check your math.

In this series:
Parker 13.5
Westbrook 22

8.5 ppg difference

This series per 48:
Parker 22
Westbrook 29

My math is fine. I told you, the difference I attributed to FT's, b/c for the sake of this argument (how many possessions are ending with either Parker or Westbrook taking a shot), I think it's applicable. And I was generous on how I allocated the FT's too.

What about Parker shooting 10% better this series? Will you admit that is a HUGE difference?

 

[SoonerBounce13]

What about Parker shooting 10% better this series? Will you admit that is a HUGE difference?

No b/c in the two games that serge has been in the paint the % difference in 3% (44% to 41%)

I don't think anybody that is looking at this objectively would think that parker is outperforming westbrook in this series, this playoffs, or this season.

You can take Parker's better shooting percentage, less FGA (pretty odd that you wouldn't want a guy that is a good shooter to shoot more), and less FTs and I will take Westbrooks scoring, rebounding, assists, and defense.

 

[DenverSooner]

If I'm building a team? Yes.

Westbrook is probably better for OKC than Parker is, for a number of reasons. But the reverse is also true. Parker is better for SA than Westbrook would be.

Parker isn't getting any younger, but yes, if I was putting a team together today, to win now, I'd prefer Parker as my pg.

Tony Parke is a bad person. He is not good for team chemistry. He slept with his teammates wife while he was married. I have never heard of Westbrook doing something like that. Advantage Westbrook.

Westbrook is 25, Parker is 32. Advantage Westrbook.

Westbrook is a better athlete and Parker is an amazing athlete. Advantage Westbrook.

In the playoffs Westbrook scores more points per game, has more assists per game, has more rebounds per game, more steals per game, a higher free throw shooting percentage and plays more minutes. The only thing Parker does better is shooting percentage and three point shooting percentage. Advantage Westbrook.

On the season Parker has 16.7 ppg, 2.3 rpg and 5.7 apg. On the season Westbrook has 21.9 ppg, 5.7 rpg and 6.9 apg. Westbrook has the higher PIE percentage too. Advantage Westbrook.

Parker has likely peaked, Westbrook has likely not peaked. Advantage Westbrook.

Parker has experience and a better shooting percentage. That is really all the guy has on Westbrook.

Obviously you acknowledge the age difference but I wouldn't remotely take Parker over Westbrook.

 

[DenverSooner]

About 11 times LESS per game than Westbrook in this series, if you take FT's into account (2 FT's = 1 shot, on average). 11 shots per game is a pretty big difference, IMO.

The other difference is that Parker shoots, in this series about 10% better from the field. That is a HUGE difference.

If you are going to take free throws into a account, you need to adjust his shooting percentage because he draws the fouls and converts most of the free throws. You would have to do this for both guys but it is going to narrow the gap in the only area where Parker has an advantage. (I suppose Parker also has an advantage in experience).

 

[allday92]

I agree with WT. Parker is the better fit for the Spurs while Westbrook is the better fit for OKC.

Spurs offense is the best pick and roll offense, and Parker and CP3 are the best at running the pick n roll. Also, Parker is a better facilitator than Westbrook. Their assist stats are misleading because the Spurs pass the ball multiple times per possession. Parker gets a lot of hockey assists. Parker is also the smarter player. Too many times I've seen OKC down 3 with close to a minute left, and Westbrook will just come down and jack a 3 instead of getting an easy two.

If Westbrook played for the Spurs, we don't know what kind of player he would be. Pop is strict on his system and Westbrook's pull up 3's and jumpers from 17 feet wouldn't exist. He probably wouldn't even be playing PG, probably playing SG in San Antonio. Westbrook is the better fit in OKC, because Brooks will let them do whatever they want on offense.

I'm not a Westbrook hater, he's not the most consistent player but his effort, free spirit and fearless attitude is what make him special. Defensively he's the best PG, but he's not the best fit for every offense.

 

[coolm]

I think RW is at his absolute best when he is defending like a demon, looking for his teammates first on the offensive end, and using his amazing athleticism to score points off of trash and t/o's and drives where they leave a lane open. When he's out there looking for a jumper his game suffers and OKC's chances suffer.

NOT to say if they give him that little jumper at the elbow that he shouldnt take it. Thats a given. STOP and pop ... not running forward like he tends to do (and almost always miss). But this coming down and putting up a jumper 2 seconds after he crosses halfcourt is crap. He's not taking advantage of his skills at all. He's bailing out the opponents defense.

 

[snydrosooner]

I think RW is at his absolute best when he is defending like a demon, looking for his teammates first on the offensive end, and using his amazing athleticism to score points off of trash and t/o's and drives where they leave a lane open. When he's out there looking for a jumper his game suffers and OKC's chances suffer.

NOT to say if they give him that little jumper at the elbow that he shouldnt take it. Thats a given. STOP and pop ... not running forward like he tends to do (and almost always miss). But this coming down and putting up a jumper 2 seconds after he crosses halfcourt is crap. He's not taking advantage of his skills at all. He's bailing out the opponents defense.

I think the knock locally on westbrook is because we see the times (to often) when he has come down and shot a out control or not in tune with the offence. Since we watch all the games we see this more then the national media does. When the see it happening in one game, they say well he was due for a mistake.



Don't take that wrong, I love westbook and what he brings, but I think he is best when he is with Jackson or previous Harden on the floor with him. It gives him someone else that can handle the ball and he is not brining it up court evreytime and gives him a better perspective on what is going on.

I think westbrook is the dreded combo guard. Has some great point guard skills, but probably is not a full time point guard hense he plays better with another ball handler on the court.

 

[bocabull]

Never count your chickens before they're hatched.

 

[bocabull]

One of the best nba games you will ever see.

 

[JBaker]

Westbrook is 25, Parker is 32. Advantage Westrbook.

Tony Parker had 3 NBA Championships at 25. How many does Russ have?

 

[bocabull]

Actually, his good is legendary.

He's now one of two players to have a 40 10 and 5 game in the playoffs. The other is Michael Jordan.

He's also one of two players in NBA history to have two game 7 triple doubles.

He's also 2nd in the playoffs this year in PER, behind only Lebron.

He's as clutch as they come. An elite superstar. A future MVP.

The Thunder, if they can keep their team together, are about to enter a phase where they will be the clear favorites every year for the foreseeable future. A unit of Westbrook, Jackson, Durant, Ibaka, and Adams is going to be very, very difficult to beat. Their big 3 are only now about to hit their prime. It's the natural order of the NBA to wait your turn. A number of titles are heading their way if they can afford to keep all those guys. (certainly a big if) I hope the Bulls can do something do put together a team that can possibly play with them, but I don't see it. That lineup would be/will be the best defensive front court in the league, has the best shot blocker in the league, the best PG in the league, (if he's not now he's trending in that direction into his prime) the best scorer and as Lebron ages maybe the best player in the league, in an elite organization that seems to mostly make the right moves.


An Ibaka Adams defensive duo is dreadful for teams to think about. Scary to wonder what happens when Durant and Russ start bringing it on a more consistent basis defensively, which is also the natural order of a player's progression into his prime. I would also add I expect Durant to add some back to the basket game, although his frame makes it a bit more difficult with guys able to get under him and push him out. I would look for Ibaka to develop that as well. It's unclear what Adams offensive ceiling in, but he's already a great finisher and we know he's an all nba defensive type in the making.

As the Thunder start throwing out the trash (Sefalosha, Perkins) and as they move into their prime's, look out.

At the end of the day the Thunder finished the playoffs with a 10-9 record and a -1.1 point differential. They haven't done anything to separate themselves from the other top teams in the West, all of whom have more revenue to spend.

 

[BoulderSooner]

At the end of the day the Thunder finished the playoffs with a 10-9 record and a -1.1 point differential. They haven't done anything to separate themselves from the other top teams in the West, all of whom have more revenue to spend.

the cap is the same for all teams

 

[Max Power]

the cap is the same for all teams

Other teams are willing to pay the luxury tax, in part due to higher revenues.

 

[DenverSooner]

Tony Parker had 3 NBA Championships at 25. How many does Russ have?

Charles Barkley, Karl Malone and John Stockton all have 0 NBA Championships. Some of that is luck or simply being in the right situation. Certainly Tony Parker is an outstanding basketball player and worthy of his NBA All Star status, I simply think Westbrook is better.

 

[jerry]

Charles Barkley, Karl Malone and John Stockton all have 0 NBA Championships. Some of that is luck or simply being in the right situation. Certainly Tony Parker is an outstanding basketball player and worthy of his NBA All Star status, I simply think Westbrook is better.

Better athlete yes, better point guard no. Parker is a true point guard and Westbrook is a 2 and could be a one of the best with his athleticism.

 

[SoonerBounce13]

Better athlete yes, better point guard no. Parker is a true point guard and Westbrook is a 2 and could be a one of the best with his athleticism.

stats say differently....

Oh wait, here comes the "Parker's assists are lower bc of his system" bs. "he gets hockey assists" lol

 

[allday92]

stats say differently....

Oh wait, here comes the "Parker's assists are lower bc of his system" bs. "he gets hockey assists" lol

It's not BS. Through 6 games against OKC, Spurs passed the ball 519 more times, average of 86.5 ~ 87 more passes per game.

On the season the Spurs had 10 players average at least one assist per game, (11 if you count de Colo but he got traded). The Spurs average 25.2 assists per game this year, which was the best in the NBA. If you play for San Antonio and think you have a good shot, there is one better according to Pop.