During the 2019 NBA Offseason something extraordinary
happened… The Pelicans finessed the New York Knicks out of the number one
overall draft pick(See Previous Article). But Nah Russell Westbrook and James
Harden have found themselves once again on the same team ready to go to war for
one another. The Houston Rockets made a trade for Westbrook this offseason as
the CP3 and Beard experiment had reached
its C+ potential ceiling, after a 2nd round exit to the Warriors.
Harden and Westbrook have been dominating on their own teams in the past years.
Russ is coming off his 3rd year in a row averaging a triple-double.
While Harden just averaged more points than PRIME Kobe Bryant. There is no
question that they have an A+ potential and chemistry that goes back further
than the Oklahoma City days but to their childhood. Just imagine making it out
of the hood with your best friend, becoming millionaires AND NBA CHAMPIONS. These
2 former MVPs, and former teammates have reunited on their way to conquer the
league in ways unimaginable.
What no
one discusses about this team is their depth…There may not be a team or gang
with more shooters than the Houston Rockets. Besides their two superstars this
team also has Eric Gordon(16.2ppg, 36 3P%), Austin Rivers(8.7ppg, 32 3P%), P.J.
Tucker(7.3ppg, 37 3P%), Gerald Green(9.2ppg, 35 3P%), Clint Capela(16.6ppg, 12.7rpg).
This will be the first time in Russell Westbrook’ career that he will be
surrounded by efficient 3-Point scorers, in a system that fits his game
perfectly. Although Oklahoma City has been successful in the past, they have
frequently failed to build a team and system that compliments their star.
Although this was true it didn’t stop Westbrook from making averaging 10+
assists in 3 straight seasons look easy. Many may call Russ a ball hog, but his
dynamic playmaking ability has proven to make his teammates better. As we all
know Paul George had an MVP like season next to Russ, But check this out…
Jerami Grant was OKC best 3-Point scorer during the 2018-19 Season with a 39.2
3P%, the year prior Grant only shot 29% from 3. Westbrook turned this man into
a sharpshooter. When the Westbrook critics come out of hiding it is during the
postseason in which he tends to struggle with, due to the ramped up defense and
his lack of a consistent jump shot. This is where James Harden comes in. Not
only will he make Russ be a better shooter this season, but he will share his
postseason experience and knowledge with Russ so they will be able to lean on
each other in times of distress. Unlike Chris Paul, Westbrook has a motor that
will never die so taking the scoring load off James would be no problem
Many
have the LA Clippers or even the Lakers as favorites to win it all but I would
strongly disagree.. With both of those teams there may be more “ Unknown than
Known” .By that I mean there are legit concerns for all four superstars in LA. The Health of Paul George is compromised, he
will not start off the season and Kawhi Leonard as dominant as he is hasn’t shown
to be durable in years past. LeBron James is 34 years old and is coming off a
disappointing season in which he was seriously injured for the first time in
his career(groin) and missed the playoffs. Father time isn’t kind to aging
stars. Anthony Davis is a transcendent talent, his durability is the only
concern. With that being said James Harden is our generations Kobe Bryant without
the rings of course, but that will change. Harden has been setting the league
on fire the last couple of years, breaking records set by NBA legends like Wilt
Chamberlain. James has been in the MVP conversation every year since 2015 and
he could have won all four. Harden was one game from reaching his 2nd
NBA Finals He has an offensive arsenal like no other which makes him the most
difficult player to guard. Put this skill set alongside the unrelenting force
that is Russell Westbrook, sounds like Championship DNA to me.
