The Denver Nuggets are on another quest to win an NBA championship. They currently sit at 4th in the Western Conference and have won the last seven of ten games.
Nikola Jokić has been averaging an astonishing 30.7 points, 13.0 rebounds and 9.7 assists. He could very much win his fourth MVP award for the 2024-25 season.
Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. have been scoring assets as well, respectively. Murray is posting 19.8 points per game while Porter is getting 18.8 points per game.
Christian Braun has even improved, since the departure of Kentavious Caldwell-Pope in the offseason. Braun went from 7.3 points per game to 14.2 this season.
The Unsung Hero
The true x-factor of this Denver Nuggets team is the former league MVP and all time triple-double leader, Russell Westbrook.
Westbrook is stuffing the stat sheet per usual, averaging 12.2 points, 4.5 rebounds and 6.6 assists over the season. Over his last nine games, he’s averaging 15.2 points, 7.4 assists, 6.0 rebounds and 1.9 steals.
When Westbrook starts, the Nuggets are 9-2, which is very telling of his performance and impact in Denver.
Over the last few seasons, Russell Westbrook has been slandered by many NBA fans and called “washed”. Unfortunately, he’s bounced from team to team ever since he was traded from OKC. He has tried to find a secure spot, and so far, Denver is looking like a home for the future hall of famer.
Can He Finally Win A Ring?
Westbrook has accomplished pretty much everything in basketball history. He won the Most Valuable Player award with one of the best statistical seasons ever. He is the all time leader in triple-doubles, and he’s considered one of the greatest point guards of all time.
The narrative has always been that his play style will not work for a championship. With an already established Denver Nuggets team that has won an NBA title, this could finally be his chance.
Westbrook’s stint with the Lakers really put a bad spin on his career and his basketball ability. Playing for a toxic fan base and a higher pressure situation such as the Lakers has given many players negative views.
Playing for an organization such as Denver is a perfect place for Russ, as he’s mentioned that previous teams didn’t allow him to play freely.
”To be honest, it was unique, they just didn’t put me in a position to make it unique,”
Westbrook explained after a Nuggets training camp practice. He also said that he often played out of position on his former teams, limiting his impact on the game.
The Western Conference is more than wide open right now, and the Nuggets can for sure get back to the NBA Finals.
