Oh, I know there's a bunch of advanced metrics/analysis that makes you vote for Harden/James/ etc over Westbrook. I'm not going to dispute that at all. It's just we're talking about a historic season that has been done only 1 other time in history. Basically it's the equivalent to a .400 season in baseball (even though that's been done more than once). It's worth noting that Harden's numbers are also historic. No one's put them up (including Russ this year obviously) since Robertson in 1965. Triple doubles are cool and Westbrook is having an incredible season, but this feels like Trout vs. Triple Crown Cabrera to me. and to think, Trout and Cabrera used to be on the same team...and neither were even the star
Bryant's relative speed artificially beefs up his hitting stats so if we're judging who will be the best purely within the batter's box, it's probably Rizzo with an outside chance of Schwarber i know that's not exactly the question, but a worthwhile distinction to make nonetheless
sadly it might've been too late in the season, but Derrick Walton suddenly flipped a switch about a month back from average starter to All-American type
his is a better argument than you're letting on; being a kickass reliever is commonly the fallback for guys who can't be worthwhile starters, but placement on the defensive spectrum is of relatively small import to your overall value generally speaking just as a crude example- -Bryce Harper staying behind the plate, still probable HOF trajectory -Wade Davis, Andrew Miller sticking as starters: Matt Moore quality career path?
there was another 25yo former top prospect with a run of total failure in previous MLB experience (5.84 ERA, 4.70 FIP) then Theo took a flyer on him, and he's now best RP in baseball
still doesn't compete with Yo'Majesty Sanders (committed to Jax St.) and Kobe Buffalomeat (committed to Ill. St.) also, Bama couldn't fit a top-100 4* recruit into their class so he took a grayshirt, so that's nice for them