Stephen A says he's "not impressed" by Russell Westbrook. Russ wife jumps in

[10bandz]

Russ gets hate cuz even tho his stats are crazy, he continues to sabotage his teams at the end of games. I thought he’d have more control as he got older but it’s still the same ol reckless Russ.

 

[Thavoiceofthevoiceless]

i don't watch ESPN and haven't since I was in high school, so technically i ain't part of the problem.

anyway my problem was with the poster singling out basketball as if it's the only sport with this type of SAS discussion around it.

It's other mediums outside of ESPN. The fact that we're having this discussion on here right now is contributing to the problem.

 

[2Quik4UHoes]

It's absolutely junk. We aren't talking about putting Russ in GOAT conversations but his production should get recognition.

Again, why denigrate Russ for "not winning" and then punish players for joining up on super teams to "win"? The media and NBA fans have created a no-win situation for 99% of the league.

This happens with every high performing player that are on teams that don't quite reach the highs of the best.

Kobe would put 30+/6/5 on shytty Lakers teams and did the same thing on the good Lakers team a few years later and everyone claimed he changed his game. "Kobe is looking for his teammates and not playing just to score points anymore". Bullshyt. Nothing fukking changed about Kobe, he played the exact same way. Bron puts put 30/8/8 on Cavs teams that took L's and then does the same in Miami and fans claim he changed his game and wasn't stat padding anymore. That's bullshyt. It's the same player on a better team.

That "team" that fits Russ best never happened and will probably never happen. Same for all of the other ringless superstars. Doesn't mean they should get shyt on for putting up numbers and not winning championships.

Exactly.

 

[Paper Boi]

It's other mediums outside of ESPN. The fact that we're having this discussion on here right now is contributing to the problem.

you literally arguing with yourself or making points to yourself right now.

i just don't find basketball discussions to be any more "low IQ" than any other sport discussion. that's it. you're worried about something else.

 

[2Quik4UHoes]

Other players are being mentioned in this thread, but people only seemed to be focused on Westbrook. It's proving my point in how Beal is seemingly getting let off the hook for the teams performance as well.

Because shyt is narrative based instead of having nuance and being unbiased. If you mention things that poke holes in the narrative that’s not juicy enough for ratings. We’re supposed to be mindless drones with no ability to think critically. Much like everything else, media plays school teacher and tells people what they are supposed to think based on simplistic narratives.

 

[Thavoiceofthevoiceless]

Because shyt is narrative based instead of having nuance and being unbiased. If you mention things that poke holes in the narrative that’s not juicy enough for ratings. We’re supposed to be mindless drones with no ability to think critically. Much like everything else, media plays school teacher and tells people what they are supposed to think based on simplistic narratives.

It is an unbiased narrative as other players are putting up empty stats as well. Everybody in the NBA is putting up superstar numbers, so how do you determine who actually deserves a seat at the table? Everybody will point to their numbers as a reason why they are deserving of All NBA Team.

If you can't lead your team to the playoffs, then don't come bytching and complaining about why you didn't make an All Star game or All NBA Team. That's how it should be in this particular instance. That's why I found the Beal situation last year disingenuous and why I don't believe him and Westbrook are that good of a tandem. You can add Russ/PG to that list as well as every clamors on how PG is overrated as a player. So shouldn't Russ or other guys get that same critique regardless of the numbers that they put up.

Like I said, anybody can put up superstar numbers in the NBA which is what we're seeing transpire right now. I feel the same way about Beal, so Westbrook isn't alone in this discussion.

 

[10bandz]

Y’all acting like Russ has never been on contending teams though.

 

[Thavoiceofthevoiceless]

Y’all acting like Russ has never been on contending teams though.

The PG experiment was a failure as neither players met expectations in spite of how they were both viewed at the time. Same with the Harden tandem. Fortunately for Harden though, he has the opportunity to change the narrative about himself. Unlike Westbrook who is stuck in Washington as Houston couldn't find a better deal for him than what they got. We all know how it ended with KD, which is why people clowned the move to GS.

The jury is still out on Playoff P as he still has the stink from last years playoff run.

 

[2Quik4UHoes]

Y’all acting like Russ has never been on contending teams though.

As if Russ wasn’t the only one on OKC to show some heart in the finals.

 

[Mr. Jack Napier]

The fact that cats are downplaying what stats Russ is putting up says alot about the media & CASUAL fans.

Not winning a title shouldn't leave a negative mark on these cats' careers

 

[DjMe]

You said a LOT, but you totally missed my point. What I said is they need to learn they don’t need to respond to EVERYTHING, especially shyt that is actually true. SAS said HE was not impressed with Westbrook’s achievement the other night because he has already done similar things. What he wants from Westbrook is a championship. Now, sometimes the media is WAY out of line. Agreed. But yes when you sign up to be a professional athlete, you have to expect there will be commentary on your play from sports media, sometimes good, sometimes bad. It comes with the territory. Get over it. Funny, I never hear ANY complaining when these reporters are sucking off the athletes. At the end of the day, SAS is entitled to his opinion on whether or not Westbrook’s achievement impressed him. Are you saying he can’t express his opinion on that? Westbrook doesn’t need to respond to that. SAS is not impressed. SO THE FUKK WHAT. Why respond to his opinion with weak rhetoric, basically saying whether you win or not is immaterial? So as long as you’re a good person, whether you win doesn’t matter? As long as you’re rich, winning it all doesn’t matter? That’s bullish!t. Just let it go. He’s not impressed. So what. Plenty of others are. Not getting into the KD/Rappaport thing because that was a private conversation and Rappaport turned into a bytch and made it public.

You can be “woke” without ignoring basic common sense.

I didn't miss your point at all. Far from it. These statements by you sum up your ignorance quite succinctly:

they need to learn they don’t need to respond to EVERYTHING, especially shyt that is actually true.

But yes when you sign up to be a professional athlete, you have to expect there will be commentary on your play from sports media, sometimes good, sometimes bad. It comes with the territory. Get over it.

At the end of the day, SAS is entitled to his opinion on whether or not Westbrook’s achievement impressed him. Are you saying he can’t express his opinion on that?

So athletes need to learn that they can't say whatever they want to defend themselves, but journalists are entitled to their opinions and can say whatever they want to make a point and slander them?
And then youre asking me if I'm saying SAS shouldn't be allowed to express his opinion on that?
What I'm saying is that Westbrook is allowed to state his opinion as well, without you caping for the boot on your neck.
Shalom.

 

[horizon]

As if Russ wasn’t the only one on OKC to show some heart in the finals.

KD averaged 30

 

[Conan]

I have no problem with what Stephen A. Smith said. He's right and said it with no disrespect and didn't make it personal. He's doing his job.

His job offers no value to the game, let's keep it a buck.

 

[Big Blue]

His job offers no value to the game, let's keep it a buck.

So why is Russ and his family getting so hot? Basketball player gets criticized for basketball reasons. News at 10

 

[Jesus Is Lord]

Shooting a better percentage is changing is game from what it is currently

It means that he's changed his game to become an actual jumpshooter instead of taking low percentage shots as he typically does.

He been taking the same shots since he came in the league. Mid Range and long rang shots. His shot is just off. His bread and butter free throw jumper has been off for quite a few seasons.

But I seen you ignored all the other stuff I typed and just bolded a sentence and tried to run with it.

Bottom line, he needs to shoot better, not change his game. Those are two totally different things.

He’s been averaging 25/16/15 but he needs to change his game??