Russell Westbrook is a participant who has grown polarizing over the previous couple of years.
Whereas he averaged a triple-double 4 occasions in 5 seasons, gained a league MVP award and led the league in scoring twice and in assists thrice, some have accused him of being out for his personal stats and glory reasonably than trying to assist his crew win.
He’s now a member of the Denver Nuggets, a crew that gained the NBA championship simply 16 months in the past, and place to begin guard Jamal Murray mentioned he has lifted everybody’s spirit, per ClutchPoints.
“I grew up watching him… To look at Russ is like, ‘Oh, damn. That’s Russ.’ Every time he’s in the gym he kind of lifts not just me but everybody’s spirit and awareness.”
Nuggets guard Jamal Murray on Russell Westbrook’s presence 🗣️
(by way of @katywinge)pic.twitter.com/ca4mibcPhB
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) October 9, 2024
Final season, the Nuggets received pushed out of the second spherical of the playoffs by the Minnesota Timberwolves, and their lack of viable depth on the bench was an element.
They regularly received off to unhealthy begins, and ultimately, they merely ran out of the gas wanted to return again and win persistently.
The Nuggets began their preseason schedule with two video games in opposition to the defending world champion Boston Celtics in Abu Dhabi, and though they misplaced each contests, Westbrook seemed respectable.
On Friday, he got here off the bench to play 19 minutes, and he scored 12 factors whereas hitting three of his six 3-point makes an attempt whereas dishing off eight assists.
Exterior capturing has lengthy been an issue for Westbrook, and it’s one huge factor his critics have all the time attacked him for.
He will probably be tasked with infusing Denver with power and tempo off the bench as they attempt to regain their earlier standing as an elite crew.
