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UCLA Basketball: Comparing This Season’s Team To 2007-08

By Mike Regalado

December 10, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; General view of playing court before the UCLA Bruins play against the Michigan Wolverines at Pauley Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
December 10, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; General view of playing court before the UCLA Bruins play against the Michigan Wolverines at Pauley Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
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December 10, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Bryce Alford (20) reacts after a scoring play against the Michigan Wolverines during the second half at Pauley Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
December 10, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Bryce Alford (20) reacts after a scoring play against the Michigan Wolverines during the second half at Pauley Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

Shooting Guard: Bryce Alford vs. Russell Westbrook

First things first, you need to imagine the Russell Westbrook of UCLA fame and not the triple-double threat that is running havoc in the NBA at the present moment.

Dec 11, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) takes the floor before a game against the Boston Celtics at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 11, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) takes the floor before a game against the Boston Celtics at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /

You also have to imagine this year’s re-born Bryce who is fitting perfectly in his new role as the 2 guard, compared to the overworked combo guard of last season.

In a head-to-head battle, it will be interesting to see how each can score against the other. Alford is thriving this season because he has developed into a solid shooting guard, which has been aided by the assistance of Lonzo Ball. Though it is still early in the season, Alford is already putting up some of his best numbers in his time at UCLA.

There was a reason Westbrook went #4 overall in the NBA Draft that followed the 2007-08 season. Westbrook not only had a breakout season, but turned into one of the best guards in the country.

In the end, there is no doubt both can score, but Westbrook’s defensive mentality gives him the advantage.

Advantage: Westbrook