For several years now, the Denver Nuggets The Red Devils boasted one of the best cores in the NBA. Bringing together Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, Michael Porter Jr. and Aaron Gordon allowed the franchise and the city to celebrate their first-ever NBA title in 2023. However, this formula did not produce the expected results last season.
A less-than-100% Jamal Murray clearly hampered the Nuggets in their Western Conference semifinal series against the Minnesota Timberwolves, but other issues led to their downfall. Most glaring was the lack of viable reinforcements off the bench. Denver sorely missed Bruce Brown Jr. and will now move forward without the faithful 3-and-D, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope.
General manager Calvin Booth had to respond to those key departures, and he did so by bringing in a future Hall of Famer. Although the exact role is unclear Russell Westbrook will replace the Nuggets, he will be asked to shoulder some of the burden that rests on the shoulders of the aforementioned quartet.
Simply put, the 35-year-old point guard could very well be Denver’s X-factor during the 2024-25 campaign. It’s not something many would have anticipated heading into the offseason, but there are reasons to be optimistic. Westbrook himself is excited about what could be the best opportunity he’s had to win a ring in nearly a decade.
Russell Westbrook wants to breathe new life into the Nuggets
The 2016-17 MVP is happy showing off his new Denver jerseyvia the team, which sports the number 4 rather than the zero that fans are used to seeing him wear since he played for the UCLA Bruins. There was an initial report that Christian Braun was not ready to part with the number, but Westbrook has denied such an idea. and instead expressed a desire to don his favourite number 4 again.
But none of that matters. What matters is what this jersey can represent, and the Mile High Militia is hoping for another title. While he’s had his share of struggles, Westbrook always puts his team first, especially at this point in his career.
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After a highly productive 2022 playoff performance, in which he averaged 23.6 points, 7.6 rebounds and 7.4 assists for a depleted Clippers team, the nine-time All-Star voluntarily moved to a bench role last season. His impact wasn’t the same, leading LA to decide to trade him to the Utah Jazz in July. But maybe a fresh start could help Russell Westbrook find that spark again.
The Nuggets know that an NBA offense can no longer revolve around the two-time scoring champion for long stretches. They can trust Nikola Jokic and a healthy Jamal Murray to handle those responsibilities. Westbrook will have to set the tone when those players need a break, which could provide Denver with the depth it needs to eventually reclaim its crown.
Westbrook will don the new jersey for the first time in a regular season game when the Nuggets host the Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday, Oct. 24.
