Westbrook vs Lillard

[bocabull]

This is going to be the defining battle for the next couple years in the Western Conference.

There's not a lot separating the Blazers/Thunder. Durant is the best player but Portland's top 8 is a little stronger IMO.

Durant
Westbrook
Ibaka
Jackson
Lamb
Sefelosha
Perkins
Collison

Aldridge
Lillard
Batum
Matthews
Lopez
Mo Williams
Robinson
Wright

 

[SoonerBounce13]

Lol


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[playmakr]

If Lillard vs Westbrook is the defining battle, the Thunder are in great shape in the West.

You also have to keep in mind the Thunder also have the best back up PG in the league, who is matching James Harden's production from 2 years ago.

The Thunder are the prohibitive favorites in the West.

 

[bocabull]

We'll see. The Blazers shoot it materially better from 3 & Aldridge/Lopez post games are materially better than Ibaka/Perkins.

It all comes down to KD carrying the Thunder because the Blazers cast is better. In addition Batum is a pesky matchup for KD.

Calling the Thunder a prohibitive favorite is laughable but expected from homers.

 

[SoonerBounce13]

It all comes down to KD carrying the Thunder because the Blazers cast is better.

LOL at their cast being better. Last time I checked, the blazers had statistically the worst bench in the nba.

PG
RW, Reggie Jackson, Fisher vs Lillard, Mo Williams, Earl Watson (lol)

SG
Thabo, Lamb vs Matthews, Barton

SF
Durant vs Batum, dorell wright

PF
Serge Ibaka, Collison vs Aldridge, Thomas Robinson

C
Perkins, Adams vs Lopez, Freeland

I'm sorry but it doesn't take a homer to see that the thunder's roster is quite a bit better. It's not that close really.

OKCs best lineup (by best I mean most talented) would be:
Westbrook>Lillard
Reggie Jackson=Matthews
Durant>Batum
Serge<Aldridge
Adams<Lopez

Calling the Thunder a prohibitive favorite is laughable but expected from homers.

how is it laughable? Each year they have gotten better. They were the number one last year and this year they are a better team.

 

[bocabull]

You just proved my point bounce. Based on your lineup the current numbers say:

Westbrook = Lillard
Jackson < Matthews
Durant > Batum
Ibaka < Aldridge
Adams < Lopez

Durant is the only Thunder player demonstrably better than his adversary & Batum is no slouch. If Lillard gets the better of Westbrook or plays him even the Blazers should be expected to win. It's the defining battle.

Prohibitive means exorbitant. The Thunder are in the hunt. By no means are they massive favorites over the Spurs, Blazers or Clippers.

 

[SoonerBounce13]

If Westbrook = lillard, Jackson = Matthews at the very least.

I don't think you will find anyone that would take Lillard over Westbrook.

Aldridge is great but I'm not a big fan of Lopez. And the more I think about it the thunders best lineup is probably with Ibaka at the 5 with Durant moving to the four and lamb playing the 3

 

[bocabull]

Lillard & Westbrook are within a point of each other with Lillard shooting 10% higher from 3, making more free throws per game and has a better assist/turnover ratio. Westbrook grabs a couple more boards & an extra steal but Lillard is clearly the better shooter.

Matthews is shooting 50% from the field and 45% from 3 and averaging 4 ppg more.

Im as surpassed as anybody but the Blazers look to be for real. Strong across the board.

 

[playmakr]

I don't think saying they are the prohibitive favorites is any more laughable or homerish (as a Suns and Lakers fan) than saying D'antoni was a better choice than Phil Jackson. A worse Thunder team won the West 2 years ago.

Also, why are you guys comparing Reggie's stats at 24 mins a game vs. Wes at 35? They have identical PER's, Reggie creates more off dribble, Wes is a better shooter. That's a wash to me, with Reggie obviously having a much higher ceiling.

 

[sperry]

The rosters are very close. Don't forget that the Blazers have a lottery pick, who I liked a lot (C.J. McOllum) out with injury right now. If he ends up being a player, that helps a lot.


Regardless, this is the future of the West right here, if they can keep their rosters together.

 

[SoonerBounce13]

I just can't get onboard the blazers yet. I think they will cool off. I don't think they are a serious contender yet.

 

[bocabull]

I hear you bounce. Just a couple weeks ago I was asking if they were for real. One thing you learn about the NBA is that road records are the best indicator if a team is for real. The Blazers are 11-2 on the road.

They have 5 diverse starters who add value in their own way. I don't think they can pass the Thunder this season but it's a matchup to watch and like I said if Lillard somehow gets the best of Westbrook the odds tilt in their favor.

 

[bocabull]

Ok fellas. You gotta give it up for Lillard. 36 points, 10 assists, 8 rebounds, 8 3s including the dagger to win it. All against Kyrie Irving. This kid is a baller.

 

[SoonerBounce13]

yes, yes he is. impressive performance

 

[thebigabd]

Lillard is a super-star.

 

[thegreyghost]

Blazers no real playoff experience