Kevin Durant:
PPG: 27.8
RPG: 7.9
APG: 3.5
SPG: 1.4
BPG: 1.2
FG%: .503
FT%: .853
3PT%: .383
MPG: 38.4
Kevin Durant's Efficiency Rating: +27.32
Russell Westbrook:
PPG: 24.3
RPG: 4.5
APG: 5.4
SPG: 1.7
BPG: 0.2
FG%: .466
FT%: .822
3PT%: .331
MPG: 35.5
Russell Westbrook's Efficiency Rating: +21.05
The numbers that you see in front of you tell the entire story. Yes, there have been games where they have traded their fair share of rolls with Russ taking over, but Kevin has been the more consistent, efficient and productive player of the duo, as you can see. In the Thunder's last two wins since that game, Durant has had 29 pts vs The Kings, and 43 pts vs. The T-Wolves. I have nothing against Russell, but it would be very odd for the Thunder to switch the entire gameplan like this. Westbrook is to Durant, what Scottie Pippen was to Michael Jordan, what Kobe Bryant was to Shaquille O'Neal, what Tony Parker has been to Tim Duncan, etc. It would be just like giving Scottie more MVP votes than Michael, or giving Kobe more MVP votes than Shaq during their glory days. Pippen, Kobe, and Parker may have had breakout games here and there during the season, but the X Factor for their teams were always, MJ, Shaq and Duncan. Their is nothing wrong with that at all. It is not a knock on guys like Scottie, Tony, etc. because they fit their roles perfectly. However, without their X Factor leaders, these guys would not have gone as far as they did. We could say the same for the star players who need a sidekick, but not at this time. Kevin Durant has got to remain the catalyst to carry the Thunder to the mountaintop, just like the men that I have just mentioned. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. If the shoe fits, wear it.
Later in the show, Jalen Rose brings up Skip's "resume" of being a star on his High School Basketball Team. Jalen gave Skip a nice hot can of Ether, when he brought up the fact that Skip only averaged 1.4 ppg in 20+ games for his team. Ironically, Skip said that he was criticized for being a guy who shot too much, but yet he criticizes guys like Derrick Rose, Russell Westbrook, etc. for taking TOO MANY SHOTS!! I know you're still eating crow right now. Jalen shut Skip up! For a moment, Bayless was actually QUIET!! Silence is golden!
Skip gets bodybagged!!