Who Would You Rather Have Wade Or Westbrook?

By David Shepard, OTSL Special Contributor

There will certainly be a lot of conversation about LeBron or Durant as the best player in the NBA over the next two weeks. The other matchup to watch will be Dwyane Wade versus Russell Westbrook. Both are widely considered the second best players on their team. Barring injury, Westbrook is on track to be in the Hall of Fame while Wade has all but locked up his status in Springfield. It begs the question, which second banana would you rather have on your team in the NBA Finals?

Side note: We know that Durant will be guarding LeBron. With Harden playing the point guard at times, Westbrook will shift to the two, having to guard Dwyane Wade. 

Spin 1: Westbrook has outplayed Wade in these playoffs

Despite being just 23 years old, Westbrook has outplayed Wade in the 2012 NBA playoffs. Keep in mind he had to do it against better overall competition. The Thunder had to go through the defending champions in Dallas as well as the Lakers, who have won 2 of the last 3 NBA championships. These match ups were in the first two rounds. Their real challenge came against the Spurs, who had won 20 games in a row.

Dwyane Wade and the Heat played the 7th seeded Knicks and then the Indiana Pacers in the first two rounds of the playoffs. Since 2005, the Knicks and Pacers coming into these playoffs, had a combined ZERO postseason series wins. The first two round's opponents for the Thunder had a combined 20 postseason series wins since 2005. Despite the tougher competition, Westbrook had more assists and rebounds per game. He has also been a lot more efficient from the free throw line.

Youth Over Experience

2012 Postseason

           Westbrook    Wade

PPG      21.7            22.9  

APG        5.6               4.1

RPG        5.1              5.0

FT%      79.2            71.4

Spin 2: Westbrook had more success than Wade at age 23

Let's compare both players at the age of 23. Westbrook has won more playoff series than Wade did at the age of 23. He has also made more All-Star appearances and All-NBA second teams. To Westbrook's credit he has also won a gold medal in the World Championship games. That is something Wade could not claim at the age of 23. 

Westbrook Has The Edge

At 23 Years Old

                                          Westbrook    Wade

All-NBA Second Teams         2               1

All-Star Appearances             2               1

Playoff Series Wins                4               3

Spin 3: Westbrook outplayed Wade when teams faced off this season

Keep in mind Dwyane Wade is in his prime. Despite being just 23 years old, Westbrook has outplayed Dwayne Wade in the two games the Heat and Thunder have played against each other this season. Westbrook also went 13 for 13 from the charity stripe against the Heat this season. 

Number Don't Lie

Thunder vs. Heat  - Regular Season

           Westbrook    Wade

PPG       20.5           20.5

APG        4.0             3.0

RPG        3.5             3.5

SPG        3.0             3.0

This is going to be a great match-up to keep an eye during the Finals.  The up-and-coming Westbrook against the established veteran star Wade.  Whichever Second Banana has the better series could very well determine whether it's LeBron or Durant who gets to raise the Championship trophy.