Harden or Westbrook: Who will have to adjust their game more next season? | NBA | FIRST THINGS FIRST
Published -
- July 15, 2019
- 3:02 pm
Chris Broussard joins Cris Carter and Nick Wright to discuss whether Russell Westbrook or James Harden need to adjust their game next season.
Broussard shares his thoughts on the new duo in Houston and why Harden needs to adjust his game to work with Westbrook next season.
Can Westbrook rein in his tendency to take ill-advised shots and turnovers in order to play a more off-ball role on the team?
As the NBA offseason heats up, one of the biggest storylines is the arrival of Russell Westbrook in Houston to team up with James Harden on the Rockets. The duo has already proven to be a dominant force in the league in the past, as they played together in Oklahoma City for several years. However, the question on everyone’s mind is which superstar will have to adjust their game more in the upcoming season.
On the surface, it may seem like Westbrook would be the one who needs to adapt his style of play to fit in with Harden’s ball-dominant approach. Harden, after all, has won back-to-back NBA scoring titles and is known for his isolation-heavy offensive game. Westbrook, on the other hand, is a triple-double machine but has often been criticized for his high volume of shots and turnovers.
The reality, however, is that both players will need to make some changes if they want to succeed together. For Harden, this means being more willing to give up the ball and work off the ball when Westbrook is in possession. He’ll need to become more of a catch-and-shoot threat and cut to the basket rather than always initiating the offense.
Westbrook, on the other hand, will need to rein in his tendency to take ill-advised shots and limit his turnovers. He’ll also need to focus on playing a more off-ball role at times, allowing Harden to run the show and serve as the primary playmaker.
Of course, this will be easier said than done. Both players are accustomed to being the primary ballhandler on their respective teams and have thrived in that role. It remains to be seen how they’ll adjust to sharing the spotlight in Houston.
The good news is that both players are capable of making the necessary changes. Westbrook has shown he’s willing to adapt his game in the past, most notably when he took a step back and allowed Kevin Durant to be the alpha dog in Oklahoma City. Harden, meanwhile, has played off the ball in the past and has experience playing alongside other star players like Chris Paul.
Ultimately, the success of the Rockets next season will depend on how well Harden and Westbrook can mesh together. If they can find a way to coexist and complement each other’s skills, then the sky’s the limit for this Houston squad. If not, well, it could be a disappointing campaign for Rockets fans.
In conclusion, there’s no clear answer to the question of which player will need to adjust their game more in the upcoming season. Both Harden and Westbrook will need to make changes to their respective styles of play if they want to succeed together. However, if they can find a way to make it work, they could become one of the most potent duos in the league.
