Once again, the NBA world is ensnared in Russell Westbrook’s trap. A partnership with LeBron James and Anthony Davis can be great, but will it? The debate is one we’ve had loudly for nearly a half-decade.

It’s a source of frustration for everyone involved. Fans remain largely optimistic about him as a great player because they see a person who embodies so much of what you want from a basketball player. He hustles, he’s consistent, he fills up the box score, and he is a beloved teammate by many. Those who are paid to analyze the league see what has been true for years, and what was only amplified when Kevin Durant left the Thunder: that Westbrook has not adopted the habits necessary to turn his skill set into a winning recipe.