What I Learned Last Night: Nov 2, 2012

(photo courtesy of Yzukerman)

Every night (well - perhaps not EVERY night) I'll be firing up my NBA League Pass and scanning that night's box scores to bring you, my beloved reader, what I learned from the NBA that night.  Because the internet was invented for knee-jerk, totally premature, irrational reactions to things.


I Would Hate To Play With Russell Westbrook

This actually isn't just something I learned last night - I've known this for a little while now. No denying Westbrook's talent and his ability to make plays that only a handful of players in the world can make.  But his decision making and shot selection is just frighteningly bad for a "superstar" player, especially for a point guard.  Your point guard can't be taking more shots than Kevin Durant, missing 15 of them, and also turn the ball over 6 times.


James Harden > Russell Westbrook 

This complex mathematical equation I formulated isn't based solely on Harden and Westbrook's debut performances this season - I was thinking it after OKC decided to ship Harden to Houston.  They'd have been much better off keeping Harden and sending Westbrook packing, as Harden is just a better fit to play alongside Kevin Durant.  Harden is able to step up and score if needed, but he's just as comfortable as a facilitator.  Having Durant and Westbrook fighting over shots just isn't going to work out well in the long term.


Green and Leonard Are Key

San Antonio's success this season is going to depend less on the production of their aging "Big Three" of Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili and more on their young supporting cast.  If the Spurs' youngsters can be consistently productive, then the team is still a title threat.  And so far, so good this season, as Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green have been very productive players.