In the news – Cowherd Westbrook rants are more salt than fact

OKC Thunder in the news for Saturday January 20 examines the Colin Cowherd vendetta against Russell Westbrook.

Colin Cowherd lives to throw salt at OKC Thunder point guard Russell Westbrook. I swear he must get major increases in listens off his constant negative rants about Russ.

The thing is as analysts, we all have our personal likes and dislikes of players. I could throw out the same type of argument about Chris Paul – that Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan are better without him and that Harden hasn’t improved with him in the fold.

Oladipo argument is easily explained:

Or, as per Cowherd’s argument that Victor Oladipo is better without Westbrook. First, I wonder if he recognizes Dipo is taking 5+ additional shots this season. Or, that his efficiency is improved across the board. Is Cowherd suggesting Westbrook was impeding Oladipo’s efficiency? Does he expect me to buy this point?  I mean was Russ defending him while he shot wide open treys?

How about the fact Victor himself credits Westbrook for teaching him what it took to take the next step to improve? All during the offseason he spoke of how he learned what was necessary to take the next step from Westbrook.

https://twitter.com/ProCityHoops/status/877194252232667136

Obviously Oladipo’s usage is up and his teammates are clearing the floor to get him the best opportunities. I’m not taking anything away from him. In fact, I’m thrilled for his success. But to claim Westbrook was holding him back is inane. If that was the case why did every OKC lineup with Dipo and without Westbrook lose leads?

Durant argument lacks legs:

As for Durant being so much better I could attack this portion of his argument all day. Yes he won a ring and yes he improved in certain areas. But, he also had three – arguably four – other All-Stars playing with him. Take ANY of the top 25 (heck 50) players and put them on Golden State and their efficiencies will improve. You know why? Because they have more talent. This means they’ll get better looks, have to do less to get shots and have other stars to help them defend. All of this adds up to an easier path to success.

If Durant is so much better without Westbrook then why during the time Curry was out did the team regress offensively? Could it be because Stephen Curry wasn’t playing. You know the two-time MVP?

Could Kevin Durant be better because of Curry as well as playing with the Defensive Player of the year (Draymond Green) and All-Star Three Point Champion Klay Thompson and finals MVP Andre Iguodala ? Yeah – you get my point. Durant is surrounded by talent no other team in the NBA can boast the equivalent to.

Cowherd’s argument feels personal:

We can all make arguments. But, for him to say Westbrook was simply stat padding feels much more like this is something personal.  Especially when Cowherd has repeatedly pointed to how amazing Lonzo Ball is and noting all his stats. Meanwhile there are teams questioning some of the assists he’s being credited for dishing as not assists at all.  Why is Cowherd so enamored with Lonzo doing this in Lakers’ losses but Westbrook doing it in wins is him stat padding. Make up your mind Colin.

I don’t buy for one minute when he says if he could pick one player to watch it would be Westbrook. It seems like he’d rather get a ticket to Lithuania based on his abject love for LaVar and his sons.

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• Damian Lillard does not fit with the OKC Thunder

And, why isn’t he pointing out the players preferred Antetokounmpo over LeBron James? Isn’t that also a testament to James’ peers perhaps not being so thrilled by the top player in the NBA?  See – that’s me throwing a little salt and shade.

Again, I’m thrilled for Victor Oladipo. But Cowherd’s argument is absurd. Put any of the top 25 players in Durant’s position and they would win a ring and suddenly be better across the board as well. Put anyone of the top 25 talents on a team without another star and invariably their shot attempts and opportunities will double if not triple.

But, I guess if I’m going to throw salt out at times, then I have to suck it up when others do the same. I just wish Cowherd would own his personal dislike for Westbrook – because that’s how it honestly feels.  Repeatedly I’ve stated LeBron James is the Wayne Gretzky of the NBA and an amazing talent. I’ve also said I don’t believe he is a good leader and tends to do things off the court that annoy me – but I own the fact I don’t like that about him and that it’s based on a personal dislike.

I wish Cowherd would do the same.