Should Russell Westbrook start for the Denver Nuggets? | DNVR Nuggets Podcast
The Denver Nuggets are set to be healthy heading out of the All-Star break. This brings up the question and tough decision Michael Malone has to make when everyone is back – should Russell Westbrook start? The Nuggets have been rolling lately, but the Russ-Jokic two-man game was the Nuggets identity through much of the season. Who should start? Then we crack into the mailbag and give our thoughts heading into the All-Star festivities this weekend. Adam Mares and Brendan Vogt come to you LIVE from the DNVR Bar to break down everything you need to know in this edition of the DNVR Nuggets Podcast!
Start – 0:00
Should Russ start – 3:00
What do we think Malone is going to do? – 18:50
Playoff Pickett & Zeke? – 24:00
Do the Nuggets care about seeding? – 27:20
Who’s the next Nugget to be an All-Star? – 33:30
Will this always be the pattern to Jamal seasons? – 39:00
How bad do you want Jok to win MVP? – 42:00
All-Star weekend preview – 48:30
Superchats – 58:40
An ALLCITY Network Production
PARTY WITH US: https://thednvr.com/events
ALL THINGS DNVR: https://linktr.ee/dnvrsports
MERCH: https://store.allcitynetwork.com/collections/dnvr-locker
SUBSCRIBE: https://www.youtube.com/c/DNVR_Sports
BUY GOLDEN ERA: https://www.triumphbooks.com/golden-era-products-9781637273692.php?page_id=21
Breck Brew Ice Deck Giveaway: http://breckbrew.com/icedeck
bet365: Go to https://www.bet365.com/hub/en-us/app-hero-banner-1?utm_source=affiliate&utm_campaign=usapp&utm_medium=affiliate&affiliate=365_03485318 or use code DNVR365 when you sign up. Must be 21+ and physically located in CO. Please gamble responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help call or TEXT 1-800-GAMBLER
UC Health: Learn more about Living Like There’s A Tomorrow at https://www.uchealth.org/tomorrow/?utm_source=DNVR&utm_medium=Audio&utm_campaign=Brand_LLTIAT_Null_JFMFY25_AW_Null
Empire Today: Schedule a free in-home estimate today! All listeners can receive a $350 OFF discount when they use the promo code DNVR. Restrictions apply. See https://empiretoday.com/dnvr for details
Go to https://millerlite.com/dnvr to find delivery options near you. Or you can pick up some Miller Lite pretty much anywhere they sell beer. Tastes like Miller Time. Celebrate Responsibly. Miller Brewing Company, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Rugged Road: Gear up for your next adventure with Rugged Road Coolers – Your ultimate outdoor companion! Head to http://ruggedroadoutdoors.pxf.io/ALLCITY and use code DNVR for 10% off!
Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code DNVR for $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply.
Check out FOCO merch and collectibles here https://foco.vegb.net/DNVRNugs and use promo code “DNVR10” for 10% off your order on all non Pre Order items.
Exclusively for our listeners, Shady Rays is giving out their best deal of the season. Head to https://shadyrays.com and use code: DNVR for 35% off polarized sunglasses. Try for yourself the shades rated 5 stars by over 300,000 people.
This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at https://betterhelp.com/dnvr today to get 10% off your first month and get on your way to being your best self.
Get 10 FREE meals at https://hellofresh.com/freenuggets. Applied across 7 boxes, new subscribers only, varies by plan.
When you shop through links in the description, we may earn affiliate commissions.
Copyright Disclaimer under section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for “fair use” for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing.
#Nuglife
19 Comments
I like keeping Russ as a starter but i'm good either way….
I just like the extra passing with the starting unit but CB has been fantastic and he seems to actually be getting better.
Either way let's go get this chip Nuggets fans!!
We have won 8 straight, but the opponents have been really weak. When Russ comes back, he should probably be a reserve. Not a demotion, but let him work his way back in, similar to AG. Once he's at 100%, then you take it from there. See who plays better, under what circumstances, etc.
As much as I admire and like Russ, it makes sense to keep CB as a starter. All CB has done is get better almost every week, and he's the future. He deserves to keep his starting spot.
CB needs to play aside Russ beccuz Russ rebounds plus CB fàst break is something u need to maximize AG off the bench not Russ or cb
Murray has to take into account that as he gets older, this mentally of playing into shape will get harder and harder. There are a lot of things you can get away with when your young that don't work as you get older. That is one of them.
By absolutely no means at all please god do not move cb to the bench. That would be criminal. Russ is a nice story but he is a minimum contract. Let cb cook and grow.
I think gordon Murray/westbrook and strawther should be the main people in the 2nd lineup because i believe they are the most capable without jokic
For the overall betterment of the Team how about Russ will start with Jokic and CB will end the game with Jokic?
Russ only play in the playoff with Jokic, Russ is bad at non Jokic Minutes, and should be in the game is Jokic is not in the court. CB can survive Minutes without Jokic and plays more minutes than Russ?
I think playing more minutes is more important for CB's development than start the game
When Gordon came off the bench, when coming back from injury, he solidified the second unit. Let Russ come off the bench at first and see what happens. Great problem to have.
At high altitudes, your carburetor has to be adjusted differently. Fuel injection does most of that adjustment automatically.
At high altitudes, you adjust your cake recipe for less leavening.
Basketball teams fluctuate in altitudes.
Sometimes you need the fuel injection, sometimes you get it wrong and you end up with a flat cookie instead of The Cake.
The point is: A great coach adjusts rosters to FEED THE HOT HAND, keep the defense robust.
Westbrook wants The Chip.
He wants to start. However, he wants to win as the priority.
The most healthy and ready players to the front of the line.
Arriving to the playoffs healthy and full reserves in the tanks with everyone getting some playing time:
Well adjusted carburetor performance on tap.
Those stats are miss leading because most of those minutes involved Jamal who was stuck in second gear.
The current version of Murray has to start. Russ on the bench.
In my opinion I believe CB has to step up with just shooting twos and steals, bro is not going to go far just dashing twords the back board all the time people especially during playoffs are gonna catch on to that. I think Rus has a little more experience and they should use that to there advantage.
CB is going to do whatever Russ & Coach want him to do.
That's the situation.
You do not mess with the Basketball Gods and try to win all games possible and do not play match ups 29:15
Playoffs matchups shouldn't matter. The team healthy and avoiding Play In Tournament is the only thing that matters. You're developing a fast break speed unit and a half court offense unit.
And hybrid rosters to fit the matchups.
You want to face the BEST TEAM when you're the healthiest.
Or hope that the best team gets run down by the time divisional championship game arrives.
Better to be in charge of your own destiny.
Getting lucky is fun though LoL
I think we are thinking about this a little wrong. I would choose starters based on matchups. Try to maximize Russ's and CB's minutes with Joker and shooters . Stagger Jamaal, MPJ and Gordon on non Jokic minutes. Similar minutes for the other 5, but continuing to focus on rounded lineups and matchups.
I just think the Jokic, AG, MPJ, Murray, Russ starting five gives The Nuggets an elite scoring offense.
It also allows the younger Nuggets to fit in more as reserves.
Jordan, CB, Strawther, Watson, and Nnaji in my view are all better suited to reserve roles, with CB clearly being the better player of these 5…
I'm taking Murray and Gordon out first and subbing in Nnaji and CB for now. I'm shifting Strawther and Watson to lesser roles.
So while Murray and Gordon rest, the lineup is: Jokic, Nnaji, MPJ, CB, and Russ….
Murray and Gordon come back in with Watson, for Russ, MPJ, and Nnaji, to help close the qtr with Jokic and stay on the floor to start the 2nd.
So you're closing the 1st qtr with: Jokic, Gordon, Watson, CB, and Murray.
CB stays on the floor to close the qtr.
To start the 2nd qtr, you bring in Jordan and Strawther, so: Jordan, Gordon, Watson, Strawther, and Murray.
That's how i would break things down.
AG of the bench, yes MVPs matter its a narrative league and Jokics legacy and while health is #1 seeding always matters (see last year game 81 loss for ref) and fatigue isnt an issue… Denver had a week off between game 82 and the playoffs and another week off between the Lakers and wolves and didn't play a single back to back games (its a stupid take at this point).
To me, doesn't matter. I need to give Malone credit. I have no issues calling him out, so now when he deserves my acknowledgment, I also have no issues. Earlier this season I pointed out that the one consistent factor in the bench issues has been Malone. Coaches have changed, players have changed, the one thing that didn't change was Moach. During this streak, yes, against weaker opponents yes, but the bench has actually been playing much better. Good job Michael Malone.