Dumb BBall

I switched over to watching Rio Bravo for a bit when OKC was up 15 tonight. By the time it got to commercial, I turned back and OKC was up by 3 with about a minute to play. Dallas ended up winning in OT. How?

I blame Westbrook. Even though I didn't watch most of it. There was one play towards then end that epitomizes Westbrook. A crazy loose ball fight and Jason Terry knocks it away towards OKC's hoop. Westbrook races him for the loose ball. He's so fast and so athletic, he gets around Terry in like 3 steps and makes this crazy attempt to keep the ball inbounds and fling it to a teammate running the basket. But in doing so, he steps out of bounds and turns it over. The play was both amazing and amazingly stupid. Maybe 4 guys in the NBA can make that play athletically - Rose, LaBron, Rondo, Westbrook. I can't think of any others. But the play made no sense. Just let the ball go out of bounds.

Later, when OKC needs points and 4 Dallas defenders are guarding Durant, Westbrook needs to get the ball, dribble around to create space and get the ball to Durant or drive to the basket. instead, he instinctively drives into the lane and dribbles himself into trouble prior to creating space. In contrast, Kidd and Terry do a very smart play on an inbounds with the lead, where Terry runs all the way into the backcourt, catching the inbounds pass, dribbling around and wasting 3 seconds before an OKC defender can grab and foul him. And Terry almost avoided him, like a game of tag, and could have taken off 3 more seconds. Westbrook probably could have avoided him - but he isn't smart enough to make plays like this in the first place.

And then there was an incredibly dumb/emotional play when he pulls up and takes an ill advised 3 and then jumps over the back of Marion trying to get an offensive rebound - giving Marion two free throws and an opportunity to tie the game. You gotta love Westbrook's effort at times. He keeps going after the ball and rebounds well for a guard. I see Dirk running away from his own basket every time he takes a shot rather than follow for the offensive rebound. The guy could easily have 3 more offensive rebounds a game just by following his shots - I have no idea why a 7 Footer doesn't do this. But Dirk is Dirk. He plays like a 3 man trapped in a 7 foot body. And his career will probably last 4 extra seasons because of it. He might win a couple late titles. I'd certainly say Dallas is the favorite right now. Because even as good defensively as Miami is playing right now, who can stop Dirk? Could LaBron? Actually, he might be able to, since he's so strong...I love how LaBron is turning into this defensive monster. Maybe we shouldn't be comparing him to Jordan. Maybe he is more suited to being Scottie Pippin, with Karl Malone's muscles. Anyhow...back to Westbrook...his effort, while commendable at times, needs to be balanced with some intelligence. He is a dumb player and makes dumb choices continually down the stretch. If I'm OKC, this is my biggest franchise worry. When you need points in the crunch time, they want to put the ball in Harden's hands because they know he'll make the smart basketball play. He'll drive to the hoop and take the points if they give it to him, or he'll find the open man. This isn't hard to do. It is point guarding 101. And Westbrook doesn't have it.