OKC Thunder: Russell Westbrook Or Stephen Curry?

January 5, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) dribbles the basketball against Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30, left) during the third quarter at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Thunder 117-91. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

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December 18, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) shoots the basketballl against Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) during the first quarter at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

Defense

Defense is an area that is hard to judge both of these players on. Westbrook has the length and quickness to lock down any guard in the league, but his effort level and untimely gambles for steals prevent him from being an annual All-NBA defender.

Curry’s quick hands have allowed him to average 2.1 steals this year, but he has a tendency to get dropped by opposing point guards on a regular basis.

While this doesn’t make Curry a poor defender, it doesn’t help his case either. Curry is a part of a defensive juggernaut, but his role is limited since Klay Thompson and Draymond Green guard their opponents’ best perimeter players on most nights.

In a vacuum, Westbrook is the better defender. When he’s locked in, his size and athleticism allow him to be one of the best individual defenders in the league. Curry is in an ideal situation in Golden State that maximizes his strengths on that end of the floor.

He can force turnovers and play sound defense while allowing Thompson and Green to handle the individual defensive assignments.

Next: Accomplishments

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