If we’re talking strictly brooks, I can make very cogent arguments about how small-western streams are the best, but that’s only because the title allows me that vehicle to drive. So many metaphors, so little time folks. Anyways, if we’re talking Russell’s Westbrooks, I can also confirm that out of all the Russell Westbrooks of the world, this one is the best Brook when it comes to playing the game of basketball. Checkmate science. And while we can all meander about meaninglessly opining what Russell Westbrook‘s value in fantasy basketball actually still is, I can certainly say that without a doubt Westbrook has survived longer in this league than most would without making adjustments to ones game.
And that’s not really a knock. It may seem like one, but the league is not kind to athletic-first players when it comes to aging and adapting. If your game is dependent on speed, agility and stamina as a foundation, time will catch-up with you. Rose, Lin, Wall are just the names of the top of my head and with Westbrook, we are seeing a high-effort slasher and playmaker still able to contribute at an age when he really shouldn’t be. True, as alluded to, perhaps his output has been a bit more marginal the past several years than when he was a starter, but there were certainly some great stretches he put together for both the Clippers and Nuggets… along with some his negatives.
All that is to say; now that he’s finally signed with the Sacramento Kings, Westbrook will have another season to show if he still has enough in him to produce middling but robust stats at a consistence pace. In that regard, the Kings might just be the perfect fit for his 18th year in the league.
Don’t ask me to make that rotation make basketball sense, I can’t. I’d honestly have an easier time making the Pelicans depth chart work, but in terms of strictly fantasy, the Kings will surely offer what Westbrook needs to retain interesting fantasy value, and that’s just plain ole minutes. Never a strong advocate for statistical efficiency, what Westbrook can do is provide counting stats and at a discount. After averaging 13/6/5 with Denver, it’s easy for me to see those numbers jumping up a bit in this situation where something like 17/7/7 is achievable.
No shade intended, but no matter what you think about Cooper Flagg, as a matter of just pure output, he’s probably good for a 15/7/7 projection and if you compare that to Westbrook and the value in-between, I guess you can see why he get’s a post all to himself. Of course you want the upside of Flagg, but it’s presents an interesting context for which to view Russell’s potential value. Am I rushing into drafts targeting him? Not really, no, but he’s certainly someone to keep an eye on as a buy-low or as a great bench piece and I’ll tell you what, you really couldn’t say that too much the past several years.
So make it official; small western stream, the best. Westbrook versus other Westbrooks in terms of basketball? Westbrook. Also, pretty good value. That’s what we call expert analysis folks…
Jay is a longtime Razzball everything who consumes an egregious amount of Makers Mark as a vehicle to gain wisdom and augment his natural glow. Living in the D.C. area, he also likes spending time visiting the local parks and feeding lettuce to any turtles he encounters, including Mitch McConnell.
