05-10-2021, 09:48 PM
(This post was last modified: 05-10-2021, 09:49 PM by dynamicalVoid.)
(05-10-2021, 09:37 PM)khaled1987 Wrote: Well, for me there is no argument that Russ is a winning player tbh. Always felt the claim that he is anything otherwise is weird tbh.
For me winning player is someone you simply are winning more than you are losing with him, and Russ is pretty much that. Never understood the claim for championship or bust that people had obsession with. I remember back in the day when Dirk was same age and people were claiming the same thing.
Guy made NBA finals as 2nd best player when he was just 23, was again the 2nd best player in the team that get to game 7 with 73 win teams.
He got blamed for the failings of the teams, while you can put same blame for KD and management being cheap.
As for the coaching argument, he was never been coached by someone who will make it as HOF, except maybe last season under MDA, which was weird season in general, and for the Rockets especially. Seemed everyone wasn't on same page from owner, to GM & Coach who wanted out, same with Harden etc.
Lebron had Spoelstra, Dirk had RC, Kobe had Phil, Shaq had Phil & Pat, KD and Curry had Kerr.
I was always a fan of his effort. He seems willing to pass most the game...his Triple Doubles suggest he will pass too.
I guess I would question is the reason people claiming he is garbage because he does not regularly make the best basketball play? When I watch I notice two things with him...he still shoots the mid-range a lot and I dont believe he is Durant, Paul, Leonard or even Doncic level of converting those...and he will take last shot in close games when I watch. He is too streaky to be shooting mid-range when 3 is a better shot or late game.
His athletic ability is top-shelf...his effort for rebounds is top-shelf...his fearlessness going to the rim is top-shelf. Is it the coaches job to turn that into winning basketball? Or is it Russ decision making?