The Nuggets defeated the Clippers 126-103 in a back-to-back game, securing their position as fourth in the Western Conference. This victory was achieved even without Jokic, and Westbrook has truly proven himself this year. In just 29 minutes on the court, he scored 19 points with 6 rebounds and 8 assists, boasting an impressive +18 plus-minus rating. Since Malone promoted Westbrook to the starting lineup, he has seized the opportunity. If Murray hadn't been injured, Westbrook would have been in a sixth man role, tasked with leading the Nuggets' weak bench.
Murray's injury provided Westbrook with a chance to showcase his skills, and his performance as a starter has indeed been strong. After Murray's return, the Nuggets did not adjust their starting lineup, keeping both Murray and Westbrook in the backcourt. The fact remains that Murray is a natural scorer, and his playing style does not conflict with Westbrook's. Additionally, Westbrook's remarkable defensive capabilities this season have been evident, with Nuggets reporters noting that he has limited opposing players' three-point shooting percentage to a mere 29.4%, ranking him among the league's top defenders.
Despite criticism of Westbrook's defense and claims that his statistics don't translate into wins, he has delivered a starting performance that defies his detractors, along with an impressive win rate. When Westbrook starts, the Nuggets have a record of 11 wins and 4 losses. On average, he contributes 14.3 points, 6.4 rebounds, 8.2 assists, and 2.1 steals per game, demonstrating a well-rounded offensive and defensive game. His shooting accuracy stands at an impressive 53.5%, with a true shooting percentage of 61%. This season, Westbrook earns 3.3million,yethisperformanceisworthfarmore,akintoa50 million annual salary.
Westbrook's shot attempts are not excessive, and his defensive impact is significant. He is also one of the few players on the Nuggets capable of breaking through the opponent's defense. Although he is older and no longer the high-flying player he once was, his dedication to training has paid off, maintaining a respectable level of athleticism. He can still dunk without issue, rather than attempting half-hearted efforts, which would indicate a decline in physical ability. Even Malone has been impressed by Westbrook's performance, with teammate Murray previously stating that Westbrook's energy on the court is comparable to that of a 21-year-old.
Westbrook continuously motivates his teammates with his words. After the game, Malone expressed uncertainty about how the team would fare without Westbrook, emphasizing their reliance on him. Westbrook's contributions on both ends of the court have effectively filled the void left by Lebron's departure. This season, he averages 12.6 points, 4.8 rebounds, 6.7 assists, and 1.67 steals in 27 minutes per game, with a 46% shooting accuracy and a 32.2% three-point shooting rate. He takes around 10 shots per game, a figure that is somewhat lower due to his time spent on the bench.
After the game, Malone thanked Westbrook, saying, "Westbrook is 36 years old? I think he plays like a young man. He always gives his all on the court, never holding back. We really need to thank Westbrook for joining us; we can't do without his energy. In tough times, he never gives up and encourages us. Have you noticed that Westbrook seems to try even harder against the Clippers, just a little bit more? Westbrook hates losing, and his performance is incredible. His aggressiveness, his offense, and his mentality are all incredible. As a veteran, this is even more incredible!"
Jokic took a gamble on Westbrook, given his poor reputation, which had only slightly improved during his time with the Clippers. However, the Clippers ultimately chose to part ways with Westbrook, even when he exercised his player option, insisting on trading him away. This made the entire league hesitant to approach Westbrook, despite his willingness to accept a minimum salary. It was Jokic who overcame objections and brought Westbrook to the Nuggets. Don't say that 3millionforWestbrookisnothingtoworryabout;ifWestbrookhadledtheNuggetsintoapitthisyear,peoplewouldundoubtedlyblameJokic.However,fornow,WestbrookhasrepaidJokic′strust,andtheNuggetsarereapingthebenefits.Nonetheless,theNuggetswillneedtoofferWestbrookaraisenextseason.Thecurrent3.3 million salary is a bet on his form, but a raise would show respect.