Hornets GM Refutes Paul-Westbrook Trade Rumor
Don't hold your breath for Russell Westbrook (0) and Chris Paul to trade places.
A byproduct of the criticism aimed at Russell Westbrook throughout the Thunder’s run to the Western Conference Finals was outlandish trade speculation surrounding the third-year point guard. Following his roller-coaster postseason, Westbrook managed to become the centerpiece in potential deals tossed around by fans and media types.
Of course, the speculation made absolutely no sense. The Thunder is not trading Russell Westbrook. Read that sentence 100 more times so it sinks in. Westbrook is a top five point guard, an All-Star and a Second-Team All-NBA selection. He’s quickly entering into the realm of NBA stars that simply don’t return equal value if they’re dealt. There are still some exceptions in Westbrook’s case, but you get the point. He’s still only 22, and he has accepted his role with the franchise. His potential for growth is too great. His character and commitment has helped establish incredible chemistry. And the Thunder has invested too much time and energy into developing Westbrook to up and turn back now.
But no one seems to consider all of those facts. Some see one bad game by Westbrook and say he needs to be shipped out. Earlier this week, a beat writer who covers a team drafting in the high lottery contacted me just to check to see if the Thunder would consider trading Westbrook. The writer knew it was a long shot, but the team’s fan base was running with Westbrook rumors so much that the writer had no choice but to begin the process of due diligence.
The most popular Westbrook trade scenario that almost took on a life of its own, though, was Westbrook to New Orleans for Chris Paul — another “potential” swap that shouldn’t really need validation. But, once again, the speculation has grown so rampant that Hornets general manager Dell Demps had to be asked about the rumor. No surprise that he shot it down.
“Sam Presti and I, our offices used to be right next to each other, so we still text each other all the time, and I can assure you that has not been a conversation we’ve had,” Demps said, cracking a smile as he spoke to reporters.
Someday, the basketball world (which includes some right here in OKC) will realize how special Westbrook is. Is he a true point guard? No. Does he need to be? Heck no. He is what he is: an out-of-this-world guard who averaged 24 points, five rebounds and six assists in the playoffs.
And he’s not going anywhere.
-DM-
Monday Morning Mailbag
While the rest of the league goes gaga over Russell Westbrook, some Thunder fans are starting to question his selfish play.
A great batch of questions in this week’s mailbag.
Thanks to those who asked questions. If you’d like to, feel free to join the discussion next week.
Let’s get right to it.
I’ve asked elsewhere, but no one has had an answer. The last couple of games Perkins is showing up on the bench of away games, but when it’s here at home he’s not anywhere to be seen. There’s gotta be a reason, but for the life of me can’t figure out why, almost like he is disrespecting the fans. Not sure how Nate is doing, but if he’s in town, he should be there too. He adds a lot of life to the bench. Others show up in suits, why not them? Thanks! – Barb C.
There are a few things in play here. Mostly, though, when they haven’t been on the bench, Perkins and Robinson have been in the back getting treatment on their respective injuries. Sitting on the bench during a game is not the best position for Robinson’s knee. Also, I was told that when Perkins first got to town he didn’t have suitable attire as set by the NBA to be on the bench. I wouldn’t consider it a big deal. You had no reason to notice yesterday, but Semih Erden did the exact same thing in Cleveland. He’s injured right now, and as I was walking out just before tip-off I saw him go into the weight room to get some rehab in. I didn’t see Antawn Jamison on the bench either. It’s fairly common throughout the league.
Hello Darnell. I am trying to understand how clinching a playoff spot works. I was looking over the Eastern Conference and I noticed that both Boston and Miami have clinched a playoff spot however Chicago the number 2 team had not. What determines how and when a team clinches? – Thanks Tiffany T.
It’s all a numbers game. A team clinches when none of the bottom seven teams in the conference can catch it even if it loses the remaining games on its schedule. That’s probably what you noticed a few days ago with Chicago versus Miami and Boston. Chicago might have had a better record than Miami, but the Bulls probably had played fewer games at that point and still had the possibility, however unlikely, of losing out and falling out of the postseason if another one of the bottom seven teams hypothetically won out. Until those scenarios no longer exist, teams don’t officially clinch.
Hi Darnell. I love your coverage of the team and the notes on Thunder Rumblings. But, I never ever see any quotes by Russell. Does he not speak to the media? I would think after Saturday night joining that select group of players he would have some words to say. Thanks for any insight, keep up the great work. – William B.
Russell isn’t the best interview. He doesn’t particularly care to talk to the media. He does it begrudgingly mostly. His answers are generally short and not so sweet. Sports journalists try to not print such responses from players and coaches, no matter who they are or what lever they are at. Also, Westbrook is typically the first player out of the locker room after games. And a good amount of the time it’s an either-or equation between talking to Kevin Durant or Westbrook. They almost always finish getting dressed and head for the exit at the same time. All that is why Westbrook is not quoted as much as some others. But it’s not something that is a problem or a knock on Westbrook’s personality. It’s just something you run into. My guess is every team has someone or something similar.
Did Coaches Get All-Star Reserves Right?
Blake Griffin (left) made the cut. But Kevin Love is among the players snubbed by coaches for All-Star reserve selections.
Let the debate begin.
All-Star reserves were announced Thursday night, and the Thunder, for the first time in the franchise’s Oklahoma City-era history, fielded two All-Stars. After Kevin Durant was voted in as a starter, Russell Westbrook made the cut as a reserve.
Meanwhile, a few players were noticeably missing from the list. Some have legitimate beefs. Others, not so much. But where did the coaches execute and where did they error? We ask our panel in today’s question of the day?
Did the coaches get the All-Star reserves right?
JOHN ROHDE
There are only two iffy calls, but Tim Duncan and Ray Allen are worthy selections. Allen deserved to be chosen ahead of New York’s Raymond Felton. When the Knicks were on an early roll, Felton was a solid pick. The Knicks have since faded. Duncan is a good choice because he can start at center since the West doesn’t have one. More important, the Spurs deserved more than one player given their league-best 40-8 record. The Celtics had four players and the Heat three. Presumably commissioner David Stern will pick Kevin Love as Yao Ming’s replacement, which is unfortunate for Portland’s LaMarcus Aldridge. Tough call for the commish.
BERRY TRAMEL
Sure. Why not? This is a conference with 13 all-stars and 12 spots. So unless someone comes up gimpy between now and the next two weeks, someone is going to be left out. Will it be Kevin Love or LaMarcus Aldridge? Should it have been Russell Westbrook or Deron Williams or Blake Griffin, all named to the team Thursday? There is no right or wrong answer. Heck, Steve Nash didn’t make the team, which I think is bogus. The All-Star Game shouldn’t be for whoever’s had the hottest three months. It should be for all-stars, and Nash qualifies, in my book. So I cut the coaches some slack. You want someone else on, fine. Just say who has to come off.
Talkin’ Thunder On NBA TV
I did a segment with the NBA TV studio crew prior to the Thunder-Hornets game.
If you’re interested, here’s the link. Lot of talk about defense and fake tough guys.
http://www.nba.com/video/channels/nba_tv/2011/02/02/20110202_mayberry_arenalink_okc.nba/
-DM-
Kevin Durant vs. Chris Paul
There was a time when NBA fans in Oklahoma City preferred Chris Paul (left) over Kevin Durant. Have things changed?
For the fans who fell for the NBA the moment it came to town back in 2005, the name Chris Paul will always conjure up fond memories. That’s just the way it is. The impact Paul and his Hornets had on Oklahoma City for two seasons cannot be understated. The Thunder wouldn’t be here today had the Hornets not temporarily relocated here five falls ago.
Much has happened since the Hornets returned to New Orleans. The Seattle SuperSonics relocated to OKC and did become the Thunder. Chris Paul was replaced by a fresh new young star named Kevin Durant. And Paul and Durant both blossomed into MVP runner-ups in only their third seasons.
But just a short time ago, there was no doubt which star fans preferred if they had it their way — they wanted Paul. Now, desires seemed to have taken a drastic shift in favor of Durant. As Durant leads the Thunder into New Orleans to take on Paul and the Hornets for the third of four times this season, we ask our panel to pick in today’s question of the day.
At present day, who would you rather have on your team, Kevin Durant or Chris Paul?
