Russell Westbrook enters his seventeenth season within the NBA. After spending the final two seasons with the LA Clippers, Westbrook now performs with the Denver Nuggets.
Westbrook was delivered to Denver for a number of causes. Though the management and depth he brings are sometimes highlighted, the previous MVP may also help Denver in a number of methods on the court docket.
Chatting with reporters at media day, Nuggets head coach Michael Malone highlighted Westbrook’s defensive 12 months final season with the Clippers.
“Once we went again and watched as a group, his protection final 12 months with the Clippers, on the finish of the video games each night time he was the most effective participant on the opposing group,” Malone mentioned. “You’ve gotten a man you may shut out video games with in Russell. Westbrook who is aware of the league, is aware of the personnel, has the respect of the officers and has a aggressive mindset: ‘I will get into your mindset that I like .
Nuggets coach Michael Malone on Russell Westbrook’s protection not getting sufficient credit score when guarding the NBA’s finest gamers:
“I believe when folks speak about Russell Westbrook, nobody actually mentions protection. They point out how briskly he’s, how explosive he’s, his rebounds,… pic.twitter.com/67wtEvbCOw
– Clutch Factors (@ClutchPoints) September 26, 2024
Westbrook was typically tasked with tough defensive duties final season and dealt with them properly. In line with the NBA Monitoring KnowledgeWestbrook held opponents to 43.6 % capturing final season, which ranks sixth amongst guards who defended as many pictures as he did.
With the departure of Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Westbrook can have lots of defensive duty this season.
As Malone talked about, the Nuggets will want Westbrook to defend a number of the finest guards within the league, and that is a task he has proven himself prepared to tackle.
Steph Curry references iconic picture of James Harden throughout Olympics celebration
Patrick Beverley’s trustworthy quote about former Clippers teammate Kawhi Leonard
French basketball veteran and Clippers participant declares Olympic retirement
