In life, success is fleeting, while failure is the main theme. However, how one faces failure distinguishes different individuals; some may be defeated by failure, while others rise up and continue moving forward. The NBA is no exception! Looking at the current league, Harden is the player with the most playoff appearances among those without a championship (166 games), still carrying the dream of a championship despite the heavy burden; Paul is the second-most playoff appearances among those without a championship (149 games), focusing on accompanying his prodigy, Wenyamata, in his growth. Harden's relentless pursuit without regard for effort has been in vain, and Paul believes that life is greater than basketball, both gradually drifting away from the championship title, which can be seen as a convergence of paths in another sense! Westbrook is the third-most playoff appearances among current NBA players without a championship (112 games). He is not as fortunate as Harden and Paul, but he does not believe in fate or give up, continuing to challenge for the championship!
Westbrook has won the MVP, scoring titles, assist titles, and is a regular in All-Star teams and the annual best lineup, having already been crowned the NBA's historical triple-double king and selected as one of the NBA's top 75 superstars! However, Westbrook is also the most destitute MVP in NBA history, changing teams six times in six years! Unfortunately, since joining the Lakers to assist James and Anthony Davis, Westbrook has become a target for criticism, with everyone calling for his departure. Even after accepting a bench role, he was still traded and bought out, thus becoming a low-salary player! Fortunately, every fall does not make Westbrook doubt himself; he always gets back up and continues to be himself! Even though Westbrook willingly accepts the arrangement of being a substitute and earning a low salary, his on-court demeanor is still at the MVP level, fearless of time and wind, forever young!
During the 24-year offseason, the Clippers' luxurious battleship fell apart, and Westbrook naturally did not escape the fate of being abandoned! Facing reality, Westbrook did not hesitate to complete a buyout with the Jazz and signed a two-year, 6.8millionveteranminimumcontractwiththeDenverNuggets,withanewseasonsalaryofonly3.3 million! For Westbrook, what he values is not the $3.3 million, nor the beautiful scenery of the Denver Plateau, but Jokic, the number one person in the world who has won the MVP three times in four years! As fans say, Westbrook's tank still has a lot of fuel, and Westbrook also yearns to challenge for the championship in the twilight of his career. More importantly, the Nuggets are short of soldiers and generals, and Westbrook believes he can fully express himself in this team! Fortunately, Westbrook really made it!
So far this season, Westbrook has maintained full attendance, averaging 27 minutes per game, contributing 12.6 points, 4.8 rebounds, 6.7 assists, 1.7 steals (7th in the league), and 1.2 three-pointers. Even at 36 years old, his durability and speed still make many young players look up to him! At the same time, whether it's Gordon, Murray, or Jokic resting, Malone will always put Westbrook first into the starting lineup, and Westbrook lives up to the mission! Taking the past two games as an example, Jokic missed the game due to illness, and Westbrook scored a back-to-back 47 points, 15 rebounds, and 14 assists, tirelessly like a perpetual motion machine! According to NBA official website statistics, in the 15 games Westbrook started this season, he averaged 14.3 points, 6.4 rebounds, 8.2 assists, and 2.1 steals, with a shooting percentage as high as 53.6%, and the Nuggets' record was 11 wins and 4 losses!
Nuggets coach Malone pointed out incisively in an interview: Westbrook always plays with all his might, and as a veteran, his aggressiveness on the court, his offense, defense, and mentality are incredible. Westbrook himself said in an interview: I have always done this throughout my career, and I enjoy competing at the highest level, regardless of who the opponent is! This is the new season's Westbrook, fitting perfectly into the Nuggets' system, it's too good! You can always believe in the truth: the number one pick may be a bust, but the MVP is never a bust! Westbrook's fighting spirit is an art that is about to be lost in the league, looking forward to Westbrook's continued efforts, and hoping he can win the NBA championship with Jokic! What do you think, fellow fans? Leave me a message to discuss it.