Russell Westbrook has been a significant addition to the Denver Nuggets this season and could become even more valuable if he remains in the starting lineup. The Nuggets have a record of 19-13, but they have been particularly impressive with a 9-2 record in the games Westbrook has started. Recently, their offense has thrived, scoring 132 points or more in four consecutive games, winning three of those four contests, thanks to Westbrook's playmaking ability. Nuggets head coach Michael Malone may face a tough decision about Westbrook’s role in the starting lineup if the team continues to perform well, especially given Aaron Gordon's calf injury.
In his 16th NBA season, Russell Westbrook remains an impactful player, even though he is past his prime. Through 32 games, he is averaging 12.2 points, 6.6 assists, and 4.5 rebounds per game. However, he has truly excelled in the 11 games where he has been a starter, posting averages of 13.7 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 8.6 assists. Notably, during a road game against the Jazz, Westbrook had an outstanding performance, shooting perfectly from the field and the free-throw line. He recorded his 201st triple-double with 16 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists.
Westbrook's chemistry with the Nuggets' two best players, Jokic and Murray has been incredibly impactful, especially with him in the starting lineup. Westbrook's addition to the starting lineup has allowed Murray to play more off the ball providing more catch-and-shoot opportunities for him. His two-man game with Jokic makes the three-time MVP even more difficult to cover and their combined playmaking abilities make the Nuggets offense even more potent. Westbrook spoke on his role alongside Jokic in the starting lineup stating, “He’s the best player in the world. My job is to make the game easy for him,".
It will be interesting to see how Coach Malone manages the starting lineup once Aaron Gordon returns from injury, as this may require the Nuggets to shuffle their rotation. If Russell Westbrook remains a starter, a likely move could be to bring Christian Braun off the bench. The Nuggets will need more reliable contributors from their bench, as their bench production has ranked among the worst in the NBA, which puts additional pressure on their starters. Regardless of his role, expect Westbrook to be a significant part of the team's success as he continues to pursue an NBA title.
Source: NBA YouTube Channel
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