Factory Of Sadness
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Cavs: 3 reasons trading for Russell Westbrook is a bad idea

By Chad Porto

Dec 11, 2019; Cleveland, OH, USA; Houston Rockets guard Russell Westbrook (0) is fouled by Cleveland Cavaliers guard Matthew Dellavedova (18) in the fourth quarter at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 11, 2019; Cleveland, OH, USA; Houston Rockets guard Russell Westbrook (0) is fouled by Cleveland Cavaliers guard Matthew Dellavedova (18) in the fourth quarter at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports /
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WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 02: Russell Westbrook #4 of the Washington Wizards talks with referee Brent Barnaky #36 against the Memphis Grizzlies during the second half at Capital One Arena on March 2, 2021 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 02: Russell Westbrook #4 of the Washington Wizards talks with referee Brent Barnaky #36 against the Memphis Grizzlies during the second half at Capital One Arena on March 2, 2021 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

His Age

A player like Kyle Korver could play until he’s 50 because he was never a super-freak athlete, and his skills, shooting three-pointers, don’t really decline. Russell Westbrook isn’t that type of player, however. He’s a guy built to be fast and elusive. As Westbrook ages, his skills that make him a star player decline. Injuries sap him of his abilities more than any other player.

At 32-years-old, and in the middle of one of his worst seasons ever, to know you’re going to have to play him when he’s 35 and even worse off than he is now should frighten anyone. Westbrook isn’t Chris Paul. Paul is someone who has always had skills and not just talent. See, skills never really fades. If you can see the court at 25, you can see the court at 55. If you have a great shooting form at 25, you’ll have a great shooting form at 55.

That’s skills. Talent, in the case of athletics, is your athleticism. How fast you are, how explosive you are, how strong you are. That stuff fades. Chris Paul can play his game for as long as his body and knees hold together. Westbrook can only play his game as long as he’s still faster and stronger than those guarding him.

There is no second act for Westbrook. He won’t be able to redefine his game. The older he gets, the more he’s going to be a liability.  Does anyone really want a 35-year-old point guard who can’t shoot, running an offense he’s no longer suitable to run?

At $47 million no less.

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