Is Brian Howard Better Than Russell Westbrook? NBA Stats Decide

Few NBA comparisons generate more debate than Brian Howard vs Russell Westbrook. The numbers reveal a genuinely competitive matchup — Russell Westbrook takes 5 categories while Brian Howard claims 3, making this one of the closer head to head comparisons at the SF position. Every statistical category matters in a matchup this tight.

Russell Westbrook's Assists Per Game of 8.0 compared to Brian Howard's 0.8 represents a 900% advantage — dramatically better than their counterpart in this critical category. Brian Howard falls 71.4% below the career average of 2.8 in this category while Russell Westbrook exceeds it. It is the single most decisive number in this comparison and the clearest statistical argument for Russell Westbrook's edge.

The most competitive category in this matchup is Three Point %, where Brian Howard posts 32.0% against Russell Westbrook's 30.8% — a gap of just 3.9%. Brian Howard can point to this as evidence that the overall comparison is closer than the final 5-3 tally suggests. In any debate, Three Point % is the statistical ammunition for the Brian Howard side.

The forward position in professional basketball demands versatility — the ability to score, rebound and defend at an elite level. The most decorated forwards in NBA history have excelled across multiple statistical categories.

The verdict favors Russell Westbrook — 5 categories to 3 — but Brian Howard makes this far from a one-sided debate. Anyone building the case for Brian Howard has real statistical ammunition particularly in Three Point % where the gap narrows to just 3.9%. The numbers have spoken, but the argument will continue.