NBA: Where Westbrook happens

From a fantasy perspective, I love Russell Westbrook. He's a top 10 scorer with the ability to be a top 5 scorer. He's a proficient rebounder for his position and he technically plays point guard (although it can be argued that he doesn't have the point guard skills that "real point guards" have. He's quite the guard.

From a real life perspective, his speed and recklessness can often be the downfall of the Thunder. Last night's game was the most obvious example. Russell started the game being a shaky shooter and taking cringe worthy shots. He had 4 assists throughout the game as a starting point guard. His final quarter involved him hitting all 4 of his shots and scoring 14 of his 33 points. He had a double-double by hustling for rebounds and getting a clutch offensive rebound to seal the game. The Thunder were up by 3 and Kevin Durant missed a shot from the top of the key. Everyone else on the thunder began to drop back to play a final possession of defense. Westbrook hustled for an offensive rebound, keeping the ball in Thunder possession. It forced the Pistons to foul him, and he hit his foul shots to turn the contest into a two possession game For all of the grief that he gets for his passing, it's weird how high his basketball IQ is in other areas. It's one of the things that made Jason Kidd a valuable player long after his athleticism was over.

Of course the conversation over the course of the year is going to be "Is Westbrook preventing the thunder from being great?" The answer is no, but that too easy and not nearly as interesting the debate. I'm just going to enjoy watching Westbrook and watching the energy he brings to the game.

P.S. If you think of Westbrook as a player that cannot carry a team, watch the 3OT special against the grizzlies. Everyone else on the team looked drained, but he looked just as interested in playing and winning in the 1st quarter as he did in the 3rd Overtime.

Nationally Televised games

Tuesday

SAS @LAL NBA TV 8:30PM

Are the Lakers suddenly better now in this free flowing offense? How will the Spurs and Lakers play without their star point guards.

Wednesday

MEM @ OKC ESPN 6PM

The playoff series between the Griz and the Thunder seems as if it were so long ago. But all the key players (other than the 6th men in Mayo and Harden) are still here, and the series should still be incredible.

MIA @ LAC ESPN 8:30

The Heat versus the Clippers. Might be a good opportunity to check out CP3 and company.

Thursday

Bos @ BKN TNT 6pm

Good news. Gerald Wallace should be here for this battle of second tier Eastern Conference squads. Bad news. Keith Bogans hasn't been cut yet.

MIA @ DEN TNT 8:30pm

The Heat at my local team. Should be a great matchup.

Friday

UTA @ PHI ESPN 5pm

The Jazz playing the Bynum less 76ers. We'll be calling them that for a while. Either way, this game may be absolutely worthwhile.

NYK @ MEM ESPN 7:30

Zach Randolph is playing well. He's back to his double-double form.

Sunday

CLE @ PHI NBATV 4pm

The Cavs are playing the Bynum less 76ers (see what I did there). The Cavs are fully healthy. The Sixers are not. Luckily, rather than watching this meaningless game, there will be football on.