"Russell Westbrook is the James Harden of PGs, defensively." - Zach Lowe

[Regular_P]

I might be paraphrasing a little bit, but still, come tell us why Westbrook is better than Chris Paul on the defensive end @Z-Bo's Deep Thoughts

Just after the 54 minute mark: ESPN's Tom Haberstroh

Edit: Timestamped link from @OKCFanSinceJune2012

ESPN’s Tom Haberstroh: 4/20/16 — The Lowe Post — Overcast

 

[Darealtwo1]

nah...westbrook doesn't take plays off, he just gambles for steals. He roams a lot.

 

[Brozay]

It always struck me as odd why he isn't a beast defensively. Great motor, great size, unworldly athleticism...

 

[Fani Willis fan]

he does the same stuff Iverson did

 

[Squirrel from Meteor Man]

And people still listen to this guy smh

 

[Fenian]

It always struck me as odd why he isn't a beast defensively. Great motor, great size, unworldly athleticism...

it's down to coaching. If's he's never been properly coached and encouraged through his career he's bound to pick up bad habits like gambling for steals all the time.

 

[ALonelyDad]

He's not James Harden bad but him and Durant are overrated on defense. Especially Westbrook, people confuse his athleticism and body for good defense.

 

[ExodusNirvana]

Don't insult Russ like that...Harden doesn't just take plays off, he takes quarters off.

 

[Consumed]

Wouldn't go that far, but he doesn't play defense with the motor that you'd expect.

 

[SHO-NUFF]

fukk zach lowe and his fakkit ass boyfriend

 

[MikelArteta]

Harden doesn't even try.
.can't expect the way Russell plays on offense to be some tony Allen on d

 

[duckbutta]

5678 jumps into passing lanes to much...only player I ever seen do it more is AI...

He is also horrendous in the pick and roll...a lot of times he treats it like some personal challenge and just tries to blast through it leaving the point guard to do whatever he wants...he never really goes over the pick or under the pick...

Plays defense in a one on one manner and doesn't seem to either care or grasp where other teammates are in relation to him...he will guard Chris...get switched off on the natural running of the play, and then randomly he is back on Chris while the other guy who got switched on Chris is still on him...happens way to much...

If you go back and look at their last playoff series with Swag Antonio...Parker got a ridiculous amount of shots by waiting for a pick...letting 5678 try to muscle through it, and then Parker would not even use it, he would just go the other way or eeven straight into the space 5678 vacated trying to slam his forearm into Tim Duncan forearm...

 

[Joe Sixpack]

It always struck me as odd why he isn't a beast defensively. Great motor, great size, unworldly athleticism...

When he was drafted that was his strength. And defense is about desire and want to. You have to want to do that.

 

[Draje]

Westbrook is overrated as a defender. Dude has horrible defensive habits, gets lost off-ball constantly, doesn't move his feet, and plays with hands a lot.

He's a good on-ball defender when left on an island but that's it.

 

[Verbal Kint]

And people still listen to this guy smh

He was right. Basically said Westbrook gets a pass for being a poor defender. Said he makes spectacular defensive plays when it works (blocks, steals, etc) but isn't focused or consistent at all on that end. Which is all true