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“Worst Three-Point Shooter In The Bubble”: NBA Analyst Compares Russell Westbrook and Damian Lillard

Published 08/05/2020, 4:00 PM EDT

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The Houston Rockets and the Portland Trail Blazers faced off in an intense matchup earlier in the day. Damian Lillard and the Blazers registered a sublime victory to sink the rockets. On a day where Russell Westbrook and his scoring streak ended, the Blazers enjoyed victory. Following this loss, a prominent sports media personality raised everyone’s eyebrows by comparing Lillard and Westbrook. 

Colin Cowherd is a renowned media personality who hosts his show on Fox Sports 1. The 56-year-old often gives his frank opinion on matters related to American sports. He invites people from the NBA to hear their opinion as well on ‘The Herd with Colin Cowherd.’ Raptors’ Nick Nurse recently appeared on the sports talk show. 

However, Cowherd got into a serious mindset when he began talking about Dame Lillard and Russell Westbrook during a moment in his show. Cowherd’s on team Dame, and he had plenty of reasons to explain his choice. 

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He began his reasoning by stating that Westbrook has always had at least one superstar in his team to rely on. Dame, on the other hand, is in Portland and is hardly spoken about, according to Cowherd. “In spite of all the marketing and promotion for Westbrook, Damian Lillard once again proved last night he is the better player,” Cowherd said. 

The recent stats also suggest Lillard has been better than Russell Westbrook

Cowherd began defending his case by stating Westbrook’s stats from the previous game against the Blazers. The 2017 NBA MVP was sub-par from the free-throw line and did not make any three-point shots despite making two attempts. 

“Whereas Dame shot 43% on three’s, seven free throws and he made six, 21 points and a +3,” Cowherd mentioned. “We have a lot of examples of these guys facing each other, in fact, nine times in the last two years,” he exclaimed. 

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Moreover, Colin Cowherd had done his research and had collected the stats from the past nine meetings between these two. And as you look at it, you can see the stats angling higher towards Damian Lillard. In addition to it, the Blazers have beat the Rockets on every single occasion this season. 

Here is Cowherd reading the stats between Westbrook and Lillard in the past nine meetings: “Westbrook shots 40%. Dame shoots 43%. Westbrook shoots 30% on three’s. Dame shoots 42.5%. Westbrook is a -40. Dame’s a +49. It ain’t close,” Cowherd exclaimed. “Dame’s a better shooter, less erratic, more dependable, better teammate. It is not close.”

“One guy is the worst three-point shooter in the bubble, the other now without Steph Curry is the best shooter in the bubble,” Cowherd said, lauding Lillard’s shooting abilities. 

Cowherd brutally hits out at Westbrook 

We aren’t sure what Russell Westbrook failed to achieve in his career that makes Cowherd hate him to this extent. “Westbrook left OKC and the team got better. How?” Cowherd questioned. He also jokingly mentioned that every player who has left Westbrook and gone elsewhere has become better. In fact, he said that they have become “All-Stars.”

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“But you go to Weber state, you’re not controversial, you’ve never played with a star, you’re up in the row city in the corner of the country, Cowherd said of Lillard. “You’re competing against a $500 million dollar candidate that’s got nothing but corporate backing and national backing and national marketing. Once again they played last night. Who’s better? I don’t think it’s an argument anymore. Last nine games, it is not close,” Cowherd concluded. 

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Phew! These are indeed bold and strong comments made by Cowherd against Russell Westbrook. Is he really that bad as Cowherd thinks he is? Let us know your thoughts about who you think is the better player in the comments section below. 

SOURCE: Herd w/Colin Cowherd – Twitter,  NBC Sports Northwest

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Written by:

Arjun Athreya

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Arjun Athreya is a senior writer at Essentially Sports and has been contributing since early 2020. Having developed an avid interest in sports at an early age, he pursued a Journalism degree and graduated from Madras Christian College. Arjun manages the Golf division and its content, and primarily covers news pertaining to the NBA as well.
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