Quality point guard play is paramount in today’s L and in OKC’s Russell Westbrook and H-Town’s Aaron Brooks, you have two quickly emerging playmakers. They might both be #0s but who’s No. 1 between the two?
Round 1 :
Scoring: While Brooks dominates almost every offensive category—points, field-goal percentage, three-point FG percentage, free-throw percentage—and appears an easy victor in scoring, this matchup is closer than it appears. Paired with the League’s scoring champ this season, Westbrook’s role is to play second fiddle and score off of the defensive attention that Kevin Durant commands. Brooks, on a team that lost Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady for most of the season, was looked upon to fill the scoring void, to which he did admirably, at almost 20 a game. If needed to, Westbrook would be able to manufacture as many points as Brooks. Westbrook certainly commands more attention from casual observers what with his blurring quickness and soaring dunks at the expense of embarrassed big men. More studious fans will know, however, that AB is just as—if not even—as fast. Able to lose any defender, Brooks uses his fleet of foot to get to the rim where he’s deceptively efficient. Like Rod Strickland in the ’90s, Brooks is a master of putting English and touch on balls off the rim from all angles, enabling him to elude outstretched hands and arms with clever angles. If Westbrook can develop a consistent J and three-point shot like Brooks, it would likely be a push. Winner: BROOKS
Round 2 :
Floor Game: This one was an easy win for the OKC guard. A constant threat for a triple-double every time he steps on the court, Westbrook has a well-rounded game. Granted, on a team with KD, the majority of the dimes are a result of the scoring champ, but Westbrook does make it a point (pun intended) to facilitate for others. Behind Jason Kidd, Westbrook is the best rebounding point in the game. His strong build and big hops allow him to compete for rebounds in the paint and to corral most of the in-between boards. Unlike Brooks, Westbrook is equally deadly leading the fastbreak or filling the lanes. His 3.27 turnovers per game can be improved upon, but it’s more the result of playing too fast and aggressive. Brooks is naturally a shooting guard asked to play point, to which he does ably. But his lithe frame doesn’t help much on the boards or the setting of screens. Winner: WESTBROOK
Round 3 :
Defense: This is an area that Brooks can get exposed. His quickness affords him the ability to keep pace with the speediest of guards, but his six-foot height and paltry 161-pound body means he’s giving up about four inches and about 20 pounds to the average opponent, negating any advantage in quickness he might have. The Rockets do a good job of hiding his deficiencies with help from their other accomplished defenders. Admittedly, Brooks plans on spending this offseason bulking up and working on his D. Westbrook, on the other hand, entered the League with some question marks, none of them being about defense. Named the Pac-10 defensive player of the year his final season as a Bruin, Westbrook uses his strong frame to body up opposing 1s and his speed to disrupt passes (1.3 spg). He can occasionally have lapses as any second-year player is prone to, but he’s got the necessary skills and makeup to make a run for the All-D team in the future. Winner: WESTBROOK
Round 4 :
Clutch: Neither guy has an extensive body of work to accurately draw a conclusion from. Brooks did have a memorable elbow jumper against Denver in March to seal a victory and his Rockets turn to him down the stretch. Even while playing sidekick to Durant, we think Westbrook will have ample opportunities to make big shots or big stops in key moments for a burgeoning Oklahoma City squad. But for the meantime, this belongs to Brooks. Winner: BROOKS
Round 5 :
Leadership: Some believe that leaders are born, and while that is true to an extent, we believe it’s also something that can be learned. Neither Brooks nor Westbrook are currently the man for their respective teams, but both are certainly in a position to be groomed as one. In Brooks, he’s surrounded by savvy vets and leader types like Shane Battier, Luis Scola and Yao Ming. Westbrook turns to his head coach, former scrappy NBA point guard and newly minted Coach of the Year Scott Brooks for guidance. It’s hard to say who will develop into the role, but on the basis of his more peppy personality, being the extension of an inspiring head coach, and on an up-and-coming team full of youth, we’re going to hedge our bets on Westbrook filling the role more soundly. Winner: WESTBROOKS
The Verdict:
The breeding ground for NBA guards, the Pac-10 has hit aces again with UCLA’s Westbrook and Oregon’s Brooks. Both are electrifying points who will, as teams and individuals, battle each other for playoff positioning and All-Star spots for the rest of the decade. As “brooks” go, we’re going with Westbrook.
HEAD 2 HEAD