Why the Nuggets Are Better with Westbrook Starting
How Russell Westbrook has become vital to the Denver Nuggets and is the perfect complimentary piece alongside Nikola Jokic, as Jamal Murray continues to struggle and is currently injured.
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The Denver Nuggets got back in the win column on Sunday night, defeating the Atlanta Hawks after falling to the Washington Wizards on Saturday.
Speaking on the broadcast after the game, Jokic got honest about what changed for his team from Saturday’s loss to Sunday’s victory.
“I think for the first time in a long time we held a team under 120 points,” Jokic said. “We played good. We scored a lot of points, of course. The energy was better… The whole energy was a little bit better than yesterday.”
Jokic also went out of his way to specifically mention the play of Russell Westbrook and Julian Strawther. Starting for the injured Jamal Murray, Westbrook had nine points, 11 assists, two steals, and one block. Strawther added 13 points off the bench on 5/6 shooting.
“Julian is playing really good, Russ is playing really good,” Jokic said. “… It was a good win for us.”
Jokic also emphasized that the ball is finding him right now, which he credited for the 104 points he has scored the last two games.
“The ball is finding me,” Jokic said. “The ball is going in most of the time.”
Westbrook has made it an emphasis to find Jokic in the post, which has visibly made life easier on the three-time MVP.
(via Sports Illustrated)
42 Comments
People forget that Russ is still Elite PG
Nuggets is NOT going anywhere with Westbrook as their PG. They are already like last in 3 point attemps and starting Westbrook ain't helping that. Denver is probably getting beaten by any team that is having a decent shooting night, especially a team that is shooting a bunch of threes like the Celtics.
It's not like Rus passes taps to Jokic, Joker still has to hit them hoops 😅otherwise Joker would average 15 dimes
The face deflection. Another elite move
Increase his bench minutes thats all. He doesnt necessarily need to start but he definitely should be getting major minutes off the bench. He needs at least 25 minutes per game . Malone gotta end the 16 minute nights unless hes playing bad
Westbrook always looking for Jokic is what makes him a good decision maker
JUST ON EFFORT ALONE WESTBROOK SHOULD BE STARTING…..
I DON'T THINK MURRAY GIVES A SHIT.
HE GOT HIS GUARANTEED CONTRACT…..
NOW HE'S GOOD.
0:07 “weaker every year”…that’s debatable. Bruce Brown? Played 81 games for the Nuggets in 2022. Hasn’t played more than that in the last 2 seasons COMBINED. KCP? Shooting a career worst 29% this year and dropped about 3pts per game. Jeff Green? Cmon now. He’s old. Minutes are tanking, points dropped off and he’s only played 7 games this year. We’re not missing any of those guys.
4:22 AG dove first but yeah Russ gets the JB.
Westbrook doesn't have the type of offensive game that is required to win in the West. Let's not forget what Murray has done to the Lakers. They're better off with Russ on the team for sure though.
Excellent break down. You got my subscription
We should've traded Jamal after we won the ring and got picks and Zack Lavine and Caruso
That's a hell of a tactic. Grab the screener's ass so he'll be reluctant to screen you again.
We’ve seen Westbrook and this is too short of a sample size. His mental lapses are his demise and ultimately the Nuggets demise.
And I’m a Westbrook late fan. I admired him at OKC and I want him to find a home and right now.NOW this is his home. Congrats Russ.
The return that the Nuggets are getting from the Westbrook investment is insane.. Russ is out there working for canned beans right now. Here's a guy who has nothing to prove to the NBA after dominating for years during his prime. He's barely getting paid enough to cover his agent and manager, but he's out there on the court barbecuing steaks with a big smile on his face. I have to admire that.
Russ was always dominant with Steve and he ain’t close to nik so this could be his finishing team and he could win it this or next year easily
I am confused. Some YouTubers say that Denver basically sucks now. Then some other Youtubers say that the NBA now has a Russel Westbrook problem. Which one is it?
Good analysis, but let the video run my man. The stuttering of the game footage is nauseating.
Honestly, as much as I love "Playoff Murray", he needs to come off the bench from here on out. Not because of he lacks talent but because it clearly looks like Murray is physically hindered and clearly not healthy right now. You can see it in his lack of speed, cutting, and energy. Murray cannot take more than backup minutes right now health wise.
Nuggets should be using Murray to torch the opposing bench scrubs from here on out.
Yo I watched this video cus the goat JD Jackson had some stats in here and I love Russ he's my favorite player and always will be, but bro the other vids on this channel look awesome and I loved the way you broke it down in here. Great video!
No wonder why Murray never been an all star
The problem with this take is that its half right. Yes, Russ with jokic has been better than Jamal. No Doubt. However, for the nuggets to win a chip Russ can't be better than Jamal in the playoffs. Jamal needs to be the second best player. So you still shouldn't start Russ. You just need to hope Jamal gets it together.
Westbrook can set the pace. Move Jamal to the sg spot.
Jamal is excellent player but not a team player. He, Jamal, spend first 15 seconds with his useless dribbling and then they have to finished quickly, mostly unsuccessful.
He BEEN LIKE THIS !!!! 😂😂
Love or hate Russ he brings it every game I can’t imagine home being a bad teammate
Wess bro 💪💪💪JOKER
Great analysis and explanation. I love to see RW prospering in this new role, the last few years have been hard on him.
Murray the multi million dollar scrub
Because Jamal sucks for the whole of 2024
You sir are a hoop genius! 🧐
Russ is turning Jokic into a monster. Nothing else to say.
Nah, the numbers are clear. Nuggs are better in Jok+Mal minutes then they are in Jok+Brook minutes. ANd the difference is not small. We could theoretically move the mal to 2 and slot Brook in 1 but that would mean benching Braun and that would be a significant defensive downgrade to a team that already struggles defensively. No, Westbrook is great at replacing Mal when he is hurt which he often is, and slotting in with the first 5 to let Mal go to bench eatly so he can stagger with the bench in the non-jokić minutes.
Russ is the last "tough guy" of my generation… Allen Iverson, Kobe Bryant, and Michael Jordan agree… The next 20 years is going to be basketball players with bonnets
Simple. Murray is brick. They wont guard him. Mr Triple Dible tho gets doubled all the time. More space for Jokic
Russell westbrook is the biggest Denver trade this year…
Why do I have the impression it makes no difference to another Nuggets' season away from championship?
tell me lies tell me sweet little lies
Should not give a ef to max contracts and $#!t like that, the chemistry is bigger than everything. Russ is still getting his confidence back, adjusting and fitting in.
Finally he plays with a pace that is recommended in half court offence. Still explosive and vocal but it’s not streetball anymore.
He would have had a great year if Clips didn’t bring in Harden, that spoiled it all.
I hope Nuggets will manage to get a decent piece to backup Joker at Center when he’s out and another wing with defensive skills.
They should go for Jimmy Buttler or a less expensive similar dude.
I like your breakdown, thanks and keep up the good work!
#goRuss #whyNot
Every advanced single statistical measure shows Westbrook is an awful player, and killing the Nuggets. This dude clearly doesn't know ** about bball
Jamal needs to be offloaded, for a shooter.