Originally Posted by
Pelicanidae
I've never really understood where this narrative came from this season. Westbrook averaged 20.2 shots a game this year. PG13 averaged 21. That's not ''taking a step back'', Westbrook gave up ONE shot per game. The extra shots PG13 was taking came from other guys, not Westbrook.
Westbrook's usage rate this year was 30.9%. PG13's was 29.5%. That means that, when it comes down to it, Westbrook had the ball in his hands more than PG13 did, even if only a little.
This idea that Westbrook took a back seat is absurd. People see that Westbrook was averaging fewer points this year than last, and they seem to just think that if he scored less, it's cause he took a smaller role. Not true. He scored less because his efficiency dipped yet again, so his shots made less points.
Who can those 2 guard in the back court?
I get what you're saying, and I do think there is a chance for Houston to be good offensively this year, but it would have to be because Harden would be willing to accept a more off-ball role on offense. Cause if we try and get off-ball, spot up shooting Westbrook... that's not going to be pretty. Harden can shoot, so he can fit into that mentality more easily. But if Harden wants to dribble in iso for 20 seconds at the top of the key for another year, it's not going to be fun.
The only way Houston gets a better seed than Utah or Denver this year is if the Jazz/Nuggets do heavy load management. Both teams are deeper, more versatile, better defensively, and have cleaner offensive fits.