Who You Taking: Durant or LeBron? Rondo or Westbrook?

If there is one thing we love to do as sports fans its DEBATE.  It’s part of the fabric of this culture.  Sometimes it’s not even worth the energy to argue with fans about their team because most are jaded and subjective.  Although the debate’s I find the most fascinating are ones that involve players, not teams.  It’s classic barber shop, water cooler, bar stool chatter.

This year’s NBA conference finals have given us some tremendous player debates.  Two that come to mind immediately are:

Kevin Durant or LeBron James

And

Russell Westbrook or Rajon Rondo

First the good news: as I am writing this on June 5^th at 4:00PM, we are very close to seeing one of these matchups.  More than likely it will be the first one: Durant vs. LeBron, assuming of course OKC can close out the Spurs tomorrow night and Miami can hold serve at home vs. Boston. 

I’ve talked to more Kobe Bryant fans that have already said when the Black Mamba retires Kevin Durant will be their “guy” moving forward.  Durant has shown flashes of Kobe’s desire and ‘takeover-ability’ late in games, an area LeBron could still improve upon.  Both Durant and LeBron are phenomenal talents and both play with all-star caliber teammates.  However, to me, it still seems like late in games, Durant wants the ball, where as LeBron wants to make a play.  There is a difference.  Durant wants the pressure of taking the big shot.  LeBron would rather wait for the double team and find an open teammate.  Yes, smart play for most players on the court, but not when you’re the best player on the planet.  Durant has the ability to score in bunches (a la Kobe).  LeBron, for whatever reason, doesn’t play that way.  LeBron’s strength is driving to the hole.  Durant’s strength is utilizing his length and shooting over people.  LeBron is certainly a better passer and facilitator than Durant, but the way these playoffs have unfolded, if I had to pick one player at the start of the 4^th quarter in a close game, I’m taking Kevin Durant over LeBron James.  I’m not saying Kevin Durant is more talented than LeBron, but when you factor in the mental aspect of the game in crunch time, I truly believe LeBron has demons and Durant doesn’t. 

Now about that point guard debate – Westbrook or Rondo?  Do you want a point guard with a scorer’s mentality like Westbrook or a crafty facilitator in Rondo.  Westbrook at times can be very selfish.  However, the one thing I love about his game is his killer instinct.  He can start a game 1 for 7 shooting and it does not affect him one bit.  There might not be a better stop-and-pop mid-range jumper at the point guard position in the entire NBA.   Westbrook’s biggest challenge is balancing his act alongside Mr. Durant. 

Conversely, Rajon Rondo is all about balance.  I would argue there is not another player in the league you can compare to Rajon Rondo.  He is such a rare unique player.  His court vision is ridiculous.  His instincts around the rim to snatch rebounds are exceptional.  Rondo’s feel for a game are usually spot on.  He knows just how much his teammates need from him offensively.  Nine playoff triple doubles puts him in elite company, with names like Magic Johnson and Wilt Chamberlain.  So let’s go back to the question I asked with LeBron and Durant – game on the line in the 4^th quarter, who do you want as your point guard?  Rondo or Westbrook?  With the point guard debate, the supporting cast is certainly a more critical component.  I would imagine if you asked a team like Miami, they would say they’d take Rondo.  His skills would be perfect alongside Wade and LeBron.  Westbrook would probably cause some chemistry problems down the stretch in Miami.  Conversely, go ask the Atlanta Hawks – a team with no leader and no player with a killer instinct, who they would rather have.  I would say Russell Westbrook’s style and scoring ability would be much more welcome than a Rondo in Atlanta.  I really have a tough time choosing.  If I were starting a team from scratch, my gut tells me take Rajon Rondo.

These are two really interesting debates, and ones that make the league so healthy.  One thing’s for sure – there is a really good chance one of these four players will close out this season with a ring on their finger.  When that happens, your closing arguments while defending ‘your guy’ just got a whole lot easier – “He’s a champion.”