Russell Westbrook Is the Next Rajon Rondo
OKC wants Westbrook to play like RondoIn his senior year at UCLA, Russell Westbrook earned Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Year honors, not because he created massive amounts of turnovers by playing the passing lanes. In fact, he averaged only 1.6 steals per game. But the sophomore locked down on the ball, giving his man fits night in and night out.
In his first game in the League, Westbrook tortured Luke Ridnour into an 0-6 night from the field. In game two, he helped hound Rafer Alston and Aaron Brooks, who combined for only 14 points on 3-12 FG. And then over the weekend, Westbrook forced Randy Foye into a golden sombrero – an 0-10 evening of misery.
Even though Westbrook has been a complete stopper thus far, he only has three steals to show for it. But Oklahoma City’s front office isn’t worried that he isn’t racking up defensive stats. In fact, they’re hoping that he continues in this pattern, which is quite similar to the Celtics’ young athletic defensive-minded point guard, Rajon Rondo.
If Westbrook is to follow in Rondo’s footsteps, he’ll end up stunning the OKC crowd with show-stopping defense, but he’ll also make them pull their hair out over some ugly jumpers.
Source: News OK
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November 3rd, 2008 at 8:29 pm
Bone says:
Don’t agree with this comparison. Westbrook is much more athletic and explosive offensivly than Rondo. Can you see Rondo piping on Bryce Taylor like Westbrook did last year? I think not.
November 3rd, 2008 at 8:35 pm
roland torres says:
senior? westbrook left ucla after his soph yr.
November 3rd, 2008 at 9:08 pm
Bennythebull says:
Rondo was getting to the cup at will vs Derrick Rose last Fri
November 4th, 2008 at 12:23 am
doc says:
I would think okc would be pissed if his ceiling was Rondo.
November 4th, 2008 at 7:39 am
Kudabeen says:
I Durant is going get all the shots he wants, but I do think Westbrook is going to be better than Rondo as far as being an offensive threat and defensive stopper because of his size. Rondo’s game is more understated and it allows the team to shine. Westbrook game so far forces his team to up it’s energy out there. He has the kind of energy that exposes the guys around him that are not giving max effort. That will pay dividends…Westbrook shoots much better than I though he could from mid-range. He had some sick stop and pops that are unstoppable with his speed and elevation…