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One Western Conference executive's “billion-dollar question” about the Houston Rockets this season is what is Russell Westbrook going to do when James Harden has the ball and is dribbling for all 24 seconds of the shot clock before shooting?
Because both Harden and Westbrook are ball-dominant players, a lot of pundits around the league question whether the two MVPs can co-exist on the floor for the Rockets this season.
Via Tim MacMahon of ESPN:
Skeptics among opposing executives, coaches and scouts wonder, though, about Westbrook's role when the Rockets can't get out in transition. What will Westbrook do without the ball while Harden works his unique brand of off-the-bounce wizardry?
“That's the billion-dollar question,” one West executive said.
Harden has led the NBA in scoring the past two seasons, while Westbrook has averaged a triple-double three seasons in a row. Houston is the only team in the NBA with two MVPs on its roster.
The Rockets would be wise to make Westbrook the full-time point guard and Harden the full-time shooting guard. Westbrook is more explosive than Harden and can break defenses down by attacking the basket with his elite speed, which will free up Harden for wide-open looks from the perimeter.
Westbrook isn’t a reliable shooter from the 3-point line. Teams are likely going to be content with leaving Westbrook open from deep if Harden collapses the defense on his drives to the hoop.
Last season, Harden averaged 36.1 points, 6.6 rebounds and 7.5 assists. The Beard scored at least 30 points 32 games in a row at one point in the season for the Rockets. Harden scored at least 50 points nine times as well. He shot 44.2 percent from the field, 36.8 percent from beyond the arc and 87.9 percent from the foul line.
Westbrook, meanwhile, put up 22.9 points, 11.1 rebounds and 10.7 assists in 2018-19 while shooting 42.8 percent from the floor, 29.0 percent from the 3-point line and 65.6 percent from the charity stripe. The Rockets expect Westbrook to shoot the ball better with them since he’ll have more space to shoot playing alongside Harden, Austin Rivers and Eric Gordon.
