This 2024-2025 NBA Season is a tough season for all 30 teams in the league. Every team, including the Denver Nuggets (12-10), needs as much help as possible to contend for a championship.
While it has certainly been a mixed campaign for them, Russell Westbrook has been a success story.
Westbrook has been a player that the Nuggets knew they could utilize in many different roles just as he was in the last year and a half with the Los Angeles Clippers. He has been one of the most dynamic players for the Nuggets this season.
At 36 years old, Westbrook is showing he has plenty of gas left in the tank physically. He is also continuing to show his appreciation for the sport of basketball by helping develop young talent by being a leader.
On Wednesday, Nuggets center DeAndre Jordan appeared on the Run It Back podcast to talk about the Nuggets’ start and Westbrook’s impact on this championship-contending team.
Jordan explained: “Russ’ resume obviously speaks for itself so I think adding a guy that’s a future Hall of Famer/MVP is something that’s going to boost your team morale and energy off of accolades alone.
“I think Russ gets a bad rep at times just because of the competitor that he has been, but he has been extremely supportive for our unit.
“Even when we ask him to start, come off the bench, guard the best guys down the stretch, get stops for us or just come out be a great veteran and distribute the basketball.”
Jordan also explained that Westbrook has been really helpful for the team’s younger players, using a soft approach, and also being bullish and straight to the point.
“He’s done everything we’ve asked for him to do. So that meant while trying to teach the young guys, and sometimes that means a carry of the arm around the shoulder, or other times it’s carrying with other choice words.
“He does a great job and he has a great heart. He wants to win, and he also wants to teach guys. When you have an MVP/future Hall of Famer who does that, it’s good for your team.”
Westbrook isn’t the same player who was over averaging over 23 points with the Oklahoma City Thunder.
While his shooting has declined significantly, his tenacity and energy on the court remain, forcing opponents to match his intensity. His style of play inspires his teammates to play at the same pace, which can cause a significant amount of scoring.
In 22 games and five starts this season for the Nuggets, Westbrook is averaging 11.3 points per game shooting a field-goal percentage of 39.9%.
He is also averaging 4.0 rebounds, 6.4 assists, 1.5 steals and 0.6 blocks per game. Westbrooks step up in place of Jamal Murray when he is out.
Whether he starts or comes off the bench, Westbrook plays well with star center Nikola Jokic as they both look to expose the weaknesses of the opposing defenses. If there is a chance for him to potentially earn his first ring winning a title, the move to the Nuggets will have paid off.
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