NBA News Roundup, Tuesday, September 3rd: Damian Lillard believes LeBron is better than Westbrook, Joe Johnson could return to the Nets and more
The 2019-20 NBA season will get underway next month, and the upcoming campaign is gearing up to be among the most exciting in recent memory after a flurry of major moves in free agency.
Nevertheless, plenty could still happen between now and opening night, and the likes of Kevin Love and Bradley Beal are expected to be targeted by teams attempting to force themselves into title contention. Due to this, major moves are expected in the next six weeks, and here is all the latest NBA news and rumors you need to know for September 3rd.
#1 Damian Lillard explains why Russell Westbrook isn't the best player in the NBA despite averaging a triple-double
During the 2019 playoffs, Damian Lillard and Russell Westbrook faced off in one of the best point guard battles in recent history. Lillard eventually came out on top as he eliminated the Oklahoma City Thunder with a memorable buzzer-beating shot in Game 5, although Westbrook ended the season as the only person in NBA history to average a triple-double in three-consecutive seasons.
Nevertheless, during a recent appearance on The Joe Budden Podcast, Lillard expressed his belief that Westbrook's historic numbers do not make him the best player in the NBA:
It’s hard to do, so having that type of energy, being in that type of shape to get 10 rebounds, to get 10 assists and to score 10 points... that doesn’t make you the best player, just because you can do stuff like that that other people can’t do. That’s like athleticism and heart. That don’t make you the best player though.
Lillard instead named current Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James as the NBA's best player. During the 18-19 season, LeBron averaged 27.4 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 8.3 assists per game. Meanwhile, Westbrook managed 22.9 points, 11.1 rebounds, and 10.7 assists.