Russell Westbrook vs. James Harden’s MVP debate embodies the reductive qualatative vs quantitative debate surrounding the NBA. Can the advanced metrics which help determine our perception of top players really capture the essence of their value? Does it measure the qualitative size of a player’s heart? Or the uplifting and calming presence a leader brings to a team during the course [&hellip

When an F-15 jet shatters the sound barrier a deafening sonic boom is emitted. Overland sonic booms are barred in the United States, but with one exception. Russell Westbrook’s whizzing up and down the Chesapeake Energy Arena floor is making an inconspicuous noise in Loud City these days. Yes, the Thunder were on a two-game losing streak before Christmas Day, but [&hellip

Three-time All Star point guard Russell Westbrook suffered from a torn meniscus on Wednesday and is currently out of the playoffs indefinitely. This injury forces Westbrook to end his perfect record of games played and miss the first game of his entire basketball career. Without Westbrook, Oklahoma City Thunder has no chance at winning the final series. Westbrook’s passion and [&hellip

The temporary absences of Rajon Rondo and Derrick Rose leaves room for NBA point guards to secure their positions as the league’s best performers. 5. Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers Damian Lillard averages 19 points per game and is the sixth highest scoring point guard in the NBA; he averages more points per game than seasoned point guards like Deron [&hellip

Nobody knows when it began but Kobe Bryant has seemingly sought to eclipse Michael Jordan before he was even an 18-year-old NBA rookie. His next championship would be his sixth, like Jordan, and his next gold medal would give him two, like Jordan. He even grew a goatee similar to the one worn on Jordan’s face during the ’92 Olympic [&hellip