Houston Rockets: 3 reasons Russell Westbrook is a good fit

2. Valuable playmaker and creator

In spite of being maligned by the most hoops critics for his questionable shot selection and decision-making, Westbrook is still one of the NBA’s top floor generals.

Over the last four years, he’s dished out a whopping 10.4 dimes per game, leading the league in points created via direct assists in each of the last two seasons.

Despite of playing on a Thunder squad that lacked consistent 3-point shooting following the departure of Kevin Durant, the league’s reigning assists champion is blessed with the ability to utilize his athletic quickness — and ultra-dynamic handles — to shred countless defenders on the way to scoring opportunities for either himself or others on the court.

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Although it is unlikely that Westbrook will instantly become the knockdown spot-up shooter that Paul proved capable of being during his time in Houston, it is possible that the former UCLA Bruin standout can provide the Rockets’ offense with an added dimension they’ve had yet to possess throughout the course of the James Harden era.

Despite recently entering his 30s this past season, Westbrook has shown he still has enough juice left in his legs to get to the rim — and finish effectively around the basket — compared to the Beard’s former running mate.

Ideally, based on his willingness to accept a secondary offensive role during his final days alongside Paul George in Oklahoma City, playing alongside Harden and a bevy of catch-and-shoot specialists could be all that Westbrook needs to flourish in a more spaced-out, half-court environment down in Houston.

It’s a precious luxury that the future Hall-of-Fame guard has never had in his career.