Why Russell Westbrook?

Assuming the Knicks have lost out on the Derrick rose sweepstakes (and, quite frankly, I'm relieved), the PG I think who makes even more sense is Russell Westbrook. And though all of this may seem redundant to regular readers here's a longer explanation.

My understanding of D'Antoni's up-tempo game is that he's not interested so much in defense as a team concept but as a thinking player's responsibility. In other words, individual players need to be ever-cognizant of defensive opportunities being created by the swarming offensive game.

I could be wrong, but this implies acquiring players who already instinctively play defense as a natural by-product of their game. That brings us right back to Russell Westbrook.

Here's a PG who may never become a Chris Paul but who very well may be able to neutralize the Chris Pauls of this league. What that means is that if the Knicks are lucky enough to draft him they get a kid whose offensive game is emerging and whose defensive game turns a five-on-five contest into a four-on-four. And by taking out the league's superstar PGs, the chances of winning the four-on-four are more likely.

So let's take it a step further and just project out an unlikely but intriguing consequence. D'Antoni could play Westbrook at PG, Marbury - SG, slide Crawford over to SF, and use Lee and either Curry or Zach. that's pretty decent firepower for the remaining four. rather than tanking, we now need intelligent draft decisions.

My mantra continues: May the Knicks draft Russell Westbrook and Joe Alexander and never look back.