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Every player, or at least good player, kind of has a couple go-to moves. Kevin Durant showed off a few last year in Nike’s “Signature Moves” series. And now it’s Russell Westbrook’s turn.
Now I just expected Westbrook’s to maybe be three different takes of him cramming over a guy taller than him or just running super fast by someone, but he actually showed off a couple legitimate moves. I was disappointed though that one of his signature moves wasn’t his patented double-spin move. That one’s a killer.
No. 1 — Shake and Bake
No, it’s not a pick-and-roll with Ricky Bobby. It’s Westbrook’s favorite attack-the-basket move. He crosses, hesitates, flashes his eyes real huge and then blows by you. It’s simple, but complicated. It’s really all in the face fake. Really, it is.
No. 2 — Between the Legs Pull-up
This move is probably the one that has driven Thunder fans the most insane over the first two years of Westbrook’s career. But last season, Westbrook actually came around and started consistently knocking this down. What makes this so effective and a huge part of Westbrook’s game is a) he makes it pretty often now and b) everyone is absolutely terrified of his drive.
No. 3 — Split the Defense
My favorite move Westbrook has. I still think about how sweetly he split two Miami defenders last season for a dunk. It’s such a subtle, simple looking thing, but it’s all about the setup. And the quick first step. When a big man over-hedges on Westbrook, he’s going to cut right through. If a third defender rotates over, he’s going to drop off to an open man. Two years ago, this play wouldn’t happen for Russ because he’d be completely out of control. Now it’s a signature move.
This reminded me just how AMAZING Russell Westbrook is. http://youtu.be/GVDoQXk1y0M This is the Top 10 Westbrook plays as compiled by the NBA channel on youtube.
I just watched those clips...stupid lockout making me forget how fun he is to watch.
I'm looking forward to Christmas.
Looks like Sunday's preseason game vs. the Mavs will be broadcast on NBA TV. Yes!!!
For those brandon roy fans, a cool video on his career:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bTY8vQUPCQA
Aw man, the Blazers signed Craig Smith. I've always liked Craig Smith. Add Smith to Jamal Crawford and once again, a division rival of ours has had a very good day.
@Daniel Hawaii I dont understand why Hawks didnt keep Crawford.He can do more than most of players who earns $5M
@shiki Well, according to HoopsHype's salaries page, the Hawks are at about $65 million in salaries. If they resigned Crawford, they would've likely entered luxury tax territory and I'm assuming that's not something they wanted.
@Grolgar I think Crawford fills a huge need for the Blazers. They don't have any outside shooting other than Wes Matthews and now Crawford gets to return to his home area in the Northwest. He's instant offense off the bench and only costing them $5 million a year.
@Daniel Hawaii The Blazers had a couple okay signings to cap a terrible off season. Color me unimpressed...
You know, I've been thinking about my perception of Russell's strategy of waiting until next year to sign a contract extension. (The clause in the new CBA allows Russ to ask for a max contract next Summer if he makes 1 more All-NBA team). The problem is he might not make an All-NBA team this year.
Kobe, Rose and Wade are locks. With CP3 going to the Clippers, barring injury, I'd say he's a lock. Russ would then be competing with Deron Williams, Rajon Rondo, Steve Nash, Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili, John Wall and others to make an All-NBA team.
If Russ fails to make an All-NBA team, he can no longer demand a max contract and then who knows what his value will be. Knowing that, I wonder if we see Russ sign an extension sooner rather than later.
@Daniel Hawaii I might be wrong but Russ will still be eligible for the same kind of contract he can get now if that situation plays out (the 25% of the cap contract).
@[censored] Oh ok. So I guess regardless of how this year plays out, it's likely Russ waits until next year to sign his extension.
Right if he waits he could get 30% if not he gets the same 25% he could get now.
what would Ibaka have to average to be a HOF cannidate one day? 12 pts 10 boards and 2.5 blocks over the next ten years while helping the thunder win 3 championships?
@RRRWHOAAAA Lol. That's random. I would say he needs to get his scoring up or set some career defensive marks to be considered. I don't think your numbers even get him close...
@Grolgar@RRRWHOAAAA Agree... Mutombo has four DPOY and ten or so All Star appearances and isn't in (yet). Ben Wallace is similar, with a ring, and he'll probably fall short. Unless Ibaka sets records and has a handful or rings like Rodman, he's got no shot without some offensive game.
and rodman averaged 18rpg a few times and had a career 13rpg. So the answer for ibaka is probably is he has to lead the league in rebounds and blocks every year for 3 or 4 years and shoot well.
Real excited for the season! May have never been this excited before for a preseason game as I am for sundays game.
Just heard that we might be putting in an amnesty bid for Travis Outlaw. We'd have to waive Royal. Thoughts?
@TempBoy Brandon Some blazers fans said their SF position was no minutes for KD because of Outlaw and Webster.What a joke.
But if he is cheap it is a good bid.I dont like Brooks' thought that KD plays more mins at PF.I always hope we can sign 1 player like Kirilenko who can play both 3 and 4 as KD's backup.But Kirilenko is not easy to get because Nets want him too.Outlaw often played 4 in Blazers.
@shiki I think Kirilenko is asking for something like $9 million a year. We don't have enough cap space to sign him. If we could get him for the mid-level exception ($5 million a year), I'd be all for it.
@TempBoy Brandon _I'm sort of interested. Outlaw didn't play great last year but he was good in Portland.
@TempBoy Brandon I sure as heck would prefer Travis Outlaw to be KD's backup than Lazar Hayward.
@Daniel Hawaii@TempBoy Brandon If Outlaw plays like he did last year I'd rather have Hayward.
Before last year, Outlaw shot about 38% percent from 3 from 2007-2010. He's also a lot bigger than Hayward at 6-9 (Hayward 6-6). And we've at least seen Outlaw play well in his days in Portland. I think I would take Outlaw over Hayward.
@TempBoy Brandon If it's cheap I don't see the problem.
I would have liked to see something here on how Russ pushes the ball in transition, he's also got a decent eurostep.
Really surprised James Posey went unclaimed through waivers. i can't really think of a team that COULDN'T use his services for a vet's minimum price tag.
Posey was horrible the last couple years and I read somewhere he's way out of shape...
I dunno, I don't really consider these "signature moves". They're more like.. a crossover, a crossover to pull up jumper, and splitting the pick and roll.. with a crossover.
I've been playin with Reggie Jackson on nba2k12 now that the rookies are in he's pretty good in the game they made his 3 pt shooting better than it probably is right now in the game he drains threes and is effective driving to the basket. In the real world I wonder if Jackson is effective could we trade maynor+our first rd. pick to get a mid 1st rounder this draft is grrrrreat
@THUNDERCATS Same. They gave him an 80 3pt rating right off the bat? I like it. He's also got some dunks, too. Man our perimeter play is lightyears from Watson, Mason, Weaver & Wilkins. Sam Presti is simply the man, "dat dude."
C'mon Man...Westbrook and Signature in the same title. My heart just skipped a beat, until I read it again.
I think I am going to rent a billboard, climb up there... and not come down until RW signs his extension. Better yet, we can nominate someone from this blog to sit up there. Who is in???
I cant wait for the first Westbrook to (new and improved) Perk ally-oop. I may crap my pants....
Check out that mohawk!
ANyone else remember the feeling everyone had in the late 80's when the Bulls were just getting going and they were getting better and better and you kind of had the feeling that the rest of the league was thinking "surely this is as good as they're going to get" when they got beat by the Pistons in I think 89 and 90 getting better each year and finally the got to the point in 91 where they broke through. You had the same feeling with the young and talented Dallas Cowboys in the early 90's and they kept getting better each year before winning 3 of 4 in the mid 90's. I get the feeling the rest of the league is thinking "surely the Thunder has peaked" after improving by a decent amount each of the last two years. It will be interesting to see if the Thunder can continue improving this year. You would think they would continue to improve with the youth on the team and the team spending another year maturing together. SHould be a fun year!
Speaking of Uncle Jeff, I was listening to some old school Boyz II Men last night when I finally realized who Jeff looks like-- the dude with the cane from Boyz II Men. Proof: http://www.oocities.org/hollywood/lot/2302/mikemiddle.jpg
@TempBoy Brandon eh... agree to dissagree
Is there another one where runs full speed into the pile and then yells at the ref? Just kidding
last year, KD; this year, Westbrook; let's hope Harden works on a couple of signature moves for our entertainment next year