Westbrook Coming Off The Bench Is Best For Him And The Team

Thursday, Nov. 10, 2022

After a 0-3 start to the season for the Los Angeles Lakers, point guard Russell Westbrook has agreed to come off the bench for the first time since his rookie season (2008-09).  While some frowned upon the controversial decision, it has become obvious that it would be in the best interest for both the team and Westbrook.

During his time with the Lakers, the nine-star All-Star was constantly criticized and blamed for the Lakers’ lack of success, often being referred to as ‘a player who only cares about his stats’.  It has gotten so bad that he was even included in numerous trade talks.

But Westbrook and the Lakers’ personnel finally came to a pact.

At the beginning, it was unusual to Westbrook being a reserve.  And that is completely understandable.  When a player starts in 1,007 straight games (111 playoff games), he can start to become adapted to it.

In the Lakers’ first loss to the Golden State Warriors on Oct. 18, Westbrook suffered a hamstring injury.  But he firmly believed that the cause of the injury was being benched in the final minutes of the game, a situation he isn’t used to.  He ultimately finished that game with 19 points, 11 rebounds, and three assists.

After the game, head coach Darvin Ham was asked about Westbrook and his beliefs on the matter.  “We don’t have time for people to be in their feelings,” he said.  “For one person to be in their feelings about when and where and how they should be in the game, I don’t have any time for that.”

After averaging just six points, four rebounds, and five assists in the next two games (failing to record a field goal in one of them), Westbrook was officially benched.

Although it’s just seven games, he finally looked like the Westbrook we were accustomed to seeing.  Of course, he isn’t the same triple-double threat he was when he played with the Oklahoma City Thunder but he still is showing progress.  In the seven games he came off the bench this season, he is averaging 18 points, five rebounds, and seven assists.

That is a whole lot better than what he has been doing at the start of the season.

He is also playing with more confidence.  Yes, the Lakers are 2-5 with him on the bench but when he’s on the court, he is displaying a huge confidence boost.

It may be too early to say but with Westbrook on the bench, both him and the team can benefit from it in a huge way.

Andrea Bargnani Was The Raptors Most Underrated Player

Sunday, October 16, 2022

The Toronto Raptors were formed 28 years ago and even though they had some great eras, they only achieved one championship.  However, they have featured players such as Vince Carter, Chris Bosh, Kyle Lowry, and DeMar DeRozan.

But the one player that always get forgotten is center Andrea Bargnani.

Drafted by the Raptors as the first overall pick in the 2006 NBA Draft, he had an impressive rookie year.  Averaging 11 points, he made the NBA All-Rookie First Team.

For the next six years, Bargnani never averaged less than ten points a game.  He led the Raptors in scoring in 2011 and 2012 (21 points and 19 points a game , respectively).  He also led them in blocks in 2010 with one block a game.

Arguably, his best game was on Dec. 8, 2010 against the New York Knicks.  He finished that game with  a career-high 41 points.

The only downside is Bargnani made the playoffs just two times, averaging eight points and two rebounds in the postseason.

Overall, though, he averaged 15 points, four rebounds, one assist, 0.4 steals, and 0.9 blocks with the Raptors.

Bargnani is No. 5 on the Raptors’ all-time scoring list (6,581).  He is also No. 8 on their rebounding list (2,095), No. 6 on their blocks list (382) and No. 5 on their three-pointers made list (579).

Alvin Robertson Was The Spurs Most Underrated Player

Wednesday, October 12, 2022

The San Antonio Spurs were established 56 years ago and started finding true success once Gregg Popovich became the head coach.

The Spurs’ organization also had the pleasure of featuring athletes such as Tim Duncan, David Robinson, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili.  But one player that never gets recognized for his impact was Alvin Robertson.

Chosen by the Spurs as the seventh overall pick in the 1984 NBA Draft, Robertson averaged double-digit figures in points every year there expect his rookie one.

After averaging just nine points in his beginning year, Robertson went on to average 17 in the subsequent four years.  Overall, he recorded 16 points a game with the Spurs.  He also logged in five rebounds, five assists, and two steals a game with them.

He led the Spurs in points on two separate occasions (1987, 1988; 17 points and 19 points, respectively).  He also led them in steals four straight times (1986, 1987, 1988, 1989) and assists in 1987 with five.

Robertson and the Spurs made only two playoff appearances but in playoffs, he never eased up.  He averaged 16 points, four rebounds, seven assists, and three steals.

During his tenure in San Antonio, Robertson was a three-time All-Star (1986-1988) who made the All-NBA Second Team in 1986, the NBA All-Defensive First Team in 1987 and the NBA All-Defensive Second Team three times (1986, 1988, 1989).  He also won the NBA Defensive Player of the Year award in 1986.

He even led the league in steals twice in a row (1986, 1987; three steals each time).

On Feb. 18, 1986, Robertson recorded 20 points, 11 rebounds, 10 assists, and 10 steals against the Phoenix Suns.  It would make him one of four players in league history to log in a quadruple-double.

Robertson is the No. 14 on the Spurs’ all-time scoring list (6,285), No. 9 on the assist list (2,094) and No. 4 on the steals list (1,128).

Victor Wembanyama Has A Great Future In The NBA

Saturday, October 7, 2022

French basketball player Victor Wembanyama has been getting a ton of attention around the NBA lately and even drawn interest from some of the league’s megastars.

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry compared him to a “NBA 2K create-a-player” who brings “cheat-code-type vibes”.  Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James said that he’s more like an “alien” than an “unicorn”.

Recently, a photo went viral of Rudy Gobert, one of the tallest players in the league, comparing his height to Wembanyama’s by standing next to him.

The recognition Wembanyama is receiving is well-deserved.  He’s a 7’3″ forward/center who nearly comes with a complete package.  He can knock down three-pointers, work the low post, and defend the basket.

His play can easily be compared to greats such as Dirk Nowitzki and Kevin Garnett, even though the latter wasn’t known for hitting three-pointers.

However, the only thing that draws concerns is the high risk of injuries.  Weighing at only 209 pounds, he is 18-38 pounds lighter than the average NBA power forward/center.

The 2022-2023 season will be quite interesting as teams could be tempted to tank or trade away superstar-level players just to be able to acquire Wembanyama.  But it will still be fairly difficult considering Oklahoma City Thunder has the better chance of acquiring him.

Right now, the Thunder are sitting with 17 draft picks, hoping to rebuild their franchise.  If they are able to grab the Metropolitans 92 forward, it will be suitable for them since rookie Chet Holmgren is out for at least one season due to a foot injury he suffered during an offseason game.