The Denver Nuggets have been revitalized recently, securing a 132-121 victory over the Utah Jazz, gifting them their fourth consecutive loss while achieving their own second consecutive win, now ranking sixth in the Western Conference. After being soundly defeated by the Cavaliers previously, Nikola Jokic's scolding seemed to have woken up the team. Known for his gentlemanly demeanor, Jokic stated that the team's recent performance did not deserve to win. To others, this might not seem like much of a reprimand, but for Jokic, who is considered a "good guy," it was the extent of his anger, especially when directed at his teammates. Honestly, apart from Jokic and Russell Westbrook, the rest of the Nuggets' lineup this season has not been deserving of victories.
Michael Porter Jr. has been plagued by injuries, and Aaron Gordon's performance has been declining. Jamal Murray, despite his hefty contract, seemed to be coasting. It wasn't until Jokic's outburst that the Nuggets began to show signs of life. Murray started playing with more effort and has been performing exceptionally well recently. Coach Michael Malone also made a change, placing Westbrook in the starting lineup alongside Murray. The Nuggets set several incredible records today, starting with Murray, Jokic, and Westbrook. Together, they scored a combined 72 points, 36 rebounds, and 31 assists, with each player contributing at least 10 assists. This marks the first time since 1992 that three teammates have each recorded 10 or more assists in a single game.
Throughout the game, the Nuggets had only seven turnovers while dishing out 38 assists. Jokic, Westbrook, and Murray accounted for 31 of those assists. Jokic shot 14-for-33, scoring 36 points, grabbing 22 rebounds, and dishing out 11 assists. Westbrook achieved a perfect shooting night, going 7-for-7 for 16 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists. Murray contributed 20 points and 10 assists. Even Porter managed to score 21 points, and Braun, playing as the small forward, added 20 points. The Nuggets' starting lineup featured Murray and Westbrook in the backcourt, Braun at small forward, Porter at power forward, and Jokic at center.
It must be said that the Nuggets made a smart move acquiring Westbrook during the offseason. He became the third player in NBA history to record a triple-double without any turnovers and with a perfect shooting percentage. Westbrook has achieved this feat twice in his career, a record he shares only with teammate Jokic. Post-game, a Nuggets reporter lavished praise on Westbrook, stating that his current performance far exceeds the value of his salary. Westbrook earns just 3millionannually,yethisperformancethisseasonisworth40 million.
This is likely why Jokic wanted Westbrook on the team, as his reputation took a hit during his time with the Lakers. Despite earning a top salary, he failed to deliver value, though he somewhat redeemed himself during his stint with the Clippers. However, public opinion remained skeptical, believing him to be all flash with a toxic playing style. Yet, Westbrook has proven in Denver that he is worthy of Jokic's trust and has elevated the team's potential.
If the Nuggets maintain their current lineup, with Westbrook and Murray in the backcourt, Porter on the wing, and Gordon and Jokic at the 4-5 positions, they could boast a formidable "Big Five." They are still in the process of building chemistry. Surprisingly, Westbrook seems to be compatible with the Nuggets' starters, avoiding the previous issue of insufficient ball distribution. When Westbrook starts, he primarily plays in transition. When Jokic is on the court, Westbrook focuses on defense, creating space, and occasionally capitalizing on opportunities.
After Jokic leaves the court, Westbrook can take charge offensively, demonstrate great chemistry with Murray, and continuously attack opponents. Perhaps the difference between the current Westbrook and his younger self is that he has matured. Among Durant, Harden, and Westbrook, only Westbrook has yet to shake off his initial nickname. Known as the "eternal youth," the term "young master" has become a positive descriptor of Westbrook's character. However, Westbrook has indeed changed; he now knows how to complement his teammates while showcasing his strengths. If Westbrook continues to play at this level, it's uncertain who could defeat the Nuggets in a seven-game series. In terms of configuration, the Nuggets remain among the league's elite, being the only team capable of matching up against the Celtics.