The Denver Nuggets are now 18-5 with Russell Westbrook in the starting lineup after dismantling the scorching Sacramento Kings on Thursday. Westbrook put together another solid game contributing to the win while making big plays. After struggling in his role with the two Los Angeles-based teams, some thought his career could be close to over. The Nuggets took a chance on Westbrook, and he is grateful for the opportunity they gave him. The signing is now paying dividends and has benefitted both Westbrook and the team.
Russell Westbrook is Grateful for the Denver Nuggets
Playing Like Himself
In his previous two roles, Westbrook played more off-the-ball than with the ball in his hands. The Nuggets have allowed Westbrook to play a mix of ball-dominant and off-the-ball play. Westbrook has settled into this role and is thriving in it. After opening the first 14 games averaging 11.1 points shooting 36.0% from the field with a -6.1 plus/minus average, those numbers have increased tremendously. In his last 30 games, he is averaging 14.1 points on 51.9% from the field with a +5.4 plus/minus average.
The Nuggets are winners of eight of their last nine games and 12 of their previous 15 games. Westbrook has started in all 15 games. He thrives in his role, which has elevated the Nuggets to a dangerous team. His two-man game with Nikola Jokić has been dominant and historic since his arrival. Westbrook had this to say regarding his gratefulness toward the organization via DNVR Nuggets on X:
“I’m grateful for them wanting me to come here, and then second, getting here and allowing me to be able to be who I’ve been my entire career. So I’m grateful for that. Nikola’s [Jokić] been a huge advocate for that — for the betterment of the team. I’m grateful like I’ve said before, to share the court with the best player in the world, and I don’t take that opportunity for granted.”
Westbrook has continually shown his gratitude throughout the season for the Nuggets allowing him to play within his play style. It is a gift-and-a-curse for the Nuggets, who benefit greatly from his play but have six players worthy of starting. Westbrook has been starting due to the injury to Aaron Gordon. With Gordon back, the Nuggets have been dominant. Westbrook has earned his spot in the starting lineup, but he has preached his team-first mentality.
Team-First Basketball
Westbrook joining the Nuggets added one of the best playmakers in the history of the NBA to an offense that thrives with passing. So far on the season, the Nuggets are averaging 31.0 assists per game. Their assists per game is 1.4 higher than the second-place Memphis Grizzlies. What’s most impressive is the Nuggets 31.0 assists per game is on pace for the third-most all-time by a team.
Since the addition of Jokić, the Nuggets have always been a high-assist team. They have finished in the top five of teams in assists per game every season since 2016-17, but their highest was last season with 29.5 per game. With the addition of Westbrook, that number jumped up an additional 1.5, which speaks to the playmaking boost Westbrook brings. Jokić said this regarding Westbrook’s addition to the Nuggets via DNVR Nuggets on X:
“Me personally, I think he’s a great veteran, great leader, great influence to the young guys. Off the court, I think he’s a really good guy to have around.”
The camaraderie of the team has hit a high for the Nuggets with them on their winning streak, and it begins with a team-first mentality on and off the court. Westbrook brings that sentiment in both areas, which is part of why he is thriving with Denver. Westbrook is grateful for the chance the Nuggets have given him, and the Nuggets should be grateful for all the benefits Westbrook has given the franchise.
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