Isaiah Thomas once explained how he'd guard Russell Westbrook: "I would have tried to frustrate him"

russell-zeke

Isaiah Thomas and Russell Westbrook are among the most outstanding point guards in NBA history. Their extraordinary on-court abilities naturally prompt the debate over who would emerge victorious in a hypothetical one-on-one duel.

While ‘Zeke’ once acknowledged it would likely be a tight contest against ‘The Brodie,’ the Pistons icon believed he had some strategies that could give him an edge in the matchup.

“I wouldn’t have been able to stop him defensively because he is just bigger and stronger than I was. So I would have tried to frustrate him, get in his head,” Thomas explained, per The Oklahoman.

Backcourt brilliance

Thomas and Westbrook’s storied careers combined account for 21 All-Star selections, four All-Star Game MVP awards, five All-NBA First Team nods, and four assist leader titles. Together, they boast a remarkable and similar array of trophies, yet each holds unique individual achievements.

To date, Russ has not won an NBA championship title, unlike Isaiah’s pair with the Pistons. Conversely, the current Clippers guard Westbrook clinched the 2016 MVP award and two scoring titles, both beyond Thomas’s achievements.

Besides their individual achievements, the physical contrasts are also significant. Westbrook, at 6’4″ and 200 lbs – as ‘Zeke’ noted – has a noticeable advantage over his former self, back then listed at 6’1″ and 180 lbs.

‘Zeke’ would opt for mental warfare

What undoubtedly connects both the former and current playmaker is extraordinary mental toughness. ‘The Brodie’ has been consistently lauded for his relentless, full-throttle effort every second on the court, a sentiment also echoed by ‘Zeke.’

“When he comes full-throttle, like I said, he’s the Mike Tyson of point guards. He comes with that mentality. Comes with that anger and when you step on that floor you gotta be ready to battle him,” he commended.

The mentality of the legendary Pistons’ #11 was equally commendable. Thomas consistently displayed a feisty, hard-nosed edge and had a knack for getting under his opponents’ skin – a “skill” he’d also use against the OKC icon.

“I would have to throw him off his game mentally, get him distracted,” remarked Thomas. “Say ‘Hey, man, (Kevin) Durant was open, you not gonna pass it to Durant? Hey, why you hogging? Durant, your boy ain’t gonna throw you the rock? That’s messed up.’

Yet, one mustn’t overlook that the 1990 Finals MVP was skilled on the offensive end as well. Even though Thomas’s career average of 19.2 points per game doesn’t quite reach Westbrook’s 21.7, he would have brought his full offensive arsenal against his counterpart.

“On the offensive side, he’d have to check me, too. And I think I would have got him a little bit,” the now 62-year-old proclaimed.

Still, all in all, the hypothetical one-on-one matchup with ‘The Brodie’ would not be an encounter Isaiah would eagerly anticipate; instead, it would likely be a cause for sleepless nights.

“I would have been laying in bed the night before saying, ‘What am I gonna do with this joker?'” remarked ‘Zeke’.