At this stage of his career, Does a ring do anything for Russell Westbrook's legacy?

[CantStop]

The only poster I remember remotely supporting Russ on occasion was @CantStop, but ok breh.

Respect.

Russ was frustrating at times but he was clearly and I mean clearly made to be a scapegoat by Bron and Klutch. He was put in a bad position and was getting underserved hate. Out of all the teams still alive, I hope Denver wins for Russ.

 

[BBG]

He moves into the top 75 for me

So Dame is top 75 without a ring but not Russ?

 

[triplehate]

So Dame is top 75 without a ring but not Russ?

With a ring Dame goes into top 75 too

 

[L&HH]

I don’t know if it does anything for his legacy but I’m sure it would mean the world to him on a personal level. He’s been told u can’t win with Russ since damn near the 2012 Finals if not before that.

The can’t win with Russ is with him as a primary piece. I think everyone knows you could possibly win with him in a limited role as a 6th man….maybe

 

[Pseudo]

He's past his prime and not even the second option on the team so it's not going to change his placement on anybody's all-time list, but it's still a ring.

 

[Silkk]

Feels like a Gary Payton on the Heat situation. Answer is yes

 

[MVike28]

nikkas and their narratives

If he wins he’s a champion full stop

 

[Megadeus]

Yes.

For A dude literally nicknamed Sabotage, I think winning a championship as a key contributor on a squad in which he's trusted to handle the ball in many important moments, would absolutely help his legacy.

 

[horizon]

Winning a ring in this role when everyone was convinced he was an unplayable cancer would do wonders.

On the contrary winning in this role would prove his critics right that and that it’s unfortunate he had to be humbled to such an extent before ditching his ego and putting the team before himself

 

[Devil Plisken…CMS]

championships are a function of multiple moving parts coming together:

players
coaching
upper management

players are only in control of one of those things

why yall insist on acting like players are the only part of the puzzle never ceases to amaze me

Because more times than not these guys aren’t just “overmatched” nor do they play pristine basketball absolving them of culpability

Name a great player on years they didn’t win and there’s a good chance they didn’t come through for their team at some point

Don’t play fukking dumb

 

[Devil Plisken…CMS]

No, this does nothing for his legacy, but be a nice ribbon on his end of career...

When we discuss players, we are talking about them in their primes and at their peaks. When we talk about Jordan, we not talking about Wizards Mike unless Wizards Mike is specifically brought up...

We not talking about post-Achilles Kobe, unless the post-Achilles period is specifically mentioned...

We not talking about post-back injury Bird unless '90 Bird is a specific topic of conversation...

When we say "Mike" or "Kobe" or "Bird" we are talking about when those guys were at their heights. I'm using those three as examples, but this applied to every great player. Subconsciously we all understand this...

So this also correlates to championships. We count every title but literally nobody looks at old man, role player rings the same way as #1 rings, unless they are trying to win an argument. No one looks at #2 rings the same way as #1 rings, unless they are trying to win an argument...

Subconsciously we know the difference between Kevin McHale, Scottie Pippen, Sam Jones rings, guys who never won a title as #1's, and Mike or LeBron rings, who ONLY won rings as #1's...

To that point though, there are plenty guys who won rings as #2's or role players and also won as #1's: Kobe, Wade, Kawhi, Parker, Duncan, Havlicek, etc. Its not a super short list...

But we also distinguish guys who only won as #2's or lesser. Jaylen Brown will always be looked at in the Pippen or McHale zone unless he leads a team as a true #1...

For Westbrook, had he and Durant pulled off a title in his prime, he'd be viewed more favorably, being viewed as a McHale or Pippen would be a higher historic standing than he's given now...

He couldn't even come close to a championship run when he was a #1...

I don't think Denver will win it this year. But if they did, its a nice bow on his career but when people think about "Westbrook" they'll more remember when he was in his prime------>that Westbrook couldn't lead championship runs, and couldn't be the second best player on a championship run...

Completely disagree

Russ’ story was an uber athletic hyper competitive guy that didn’t get “it” which potentially cost him a championship/s during his heyday

That sentiment never changed throughout his career but he’s finally bought in at the tail end of his career where’s he’s still heavily relied upon

If he helps them win it all it will be seen as a breakthrough

 

[MicIsGod]

On the contrary winning in this role would prove his critics right that and that it’s unfortunate he had to be humbled to such an extent before ditching his ego and putting the team before himself

And that would be a take not taken serious.

 

[Hacksaw Jim Thuggin]

Because more times than not these guys aren’t just “overmatched” nor do they play pristine basketball absolving them of culpability

Name a great player on years they didn’t win and there’s a good chance they didn’t come through for their team at some point

Don’t play fukking dumb

again...since youre slow....


i said:

players
coaching
upper management

ALL play a role in a championship happening......
nowhere in this did i say players are absolved.....

care to try again?

 

[Devil Plisken…CMS]

again...since youre slow....


i said:

players
coaching
upper management

ALL play a role in a championship happening......
nowhere in this did i say players are absolved.....

care to try again?

No need. The shyt was stupid the first time you yogurt brained head ass

 

[MyApps]

The can’t win with Russ is with him as a primary piece. I think everyone knows you could possibly win with him in a limited role as a 6th man….maybe

It's no different than Carmelo, Harden, or even KD.