Russell Westbrook Reborn! Thanks to Jokic for Calling Him Out, Post-game Remarks Expose James' Shame
January 11, Beijing time, Russell Westbrook is really amazing. He has been reborn since joining the Nuggets and expressed his gratitude to Jokic for calling him out, making James feel ashamed with his post-game remarks.
Westbrook and Jokic, along with the Nuggets, are a perfect match. In the game against the Nets, they both achieved super triple-doubles once again. Westbrook scored 25 points, grabbed 11 rebounds, and dished out 10 assists, while Jokic had 35 points, 12 rebounds, and 15 assists. This is incredible, especially considering that in just one season, they have already accomplished the feat of a triple-double in two games. Who would have believed it?
It can only be said that they are truly a match made in heaven. After this victory, take a look at the Nuggets' record, which has climbed all the way to fourth in the West, and they are widening the gap with the teams behind them. Westbrook's arrival has not affected the Nuggets' performance at all. Before Westbrook came, many people questioned Jokic, saying that you are trying to increase the difficulty for yourself, calling it a "taste of the turtle competition" to see what it feels like when the turtle arrives?
Now, the Nuggets have indeed tasted it, and there are no problems. Westbrook, who earns 3 million a year, is playing at a level worth 30 million. Even if you were to give him 30 million, it doesn't necessarily mean he could score over 25 points in a super triple-double, right? It just goes to show that some people make their teammates better, while others make them worse. Jokic has indeed made the 36-year-old Westbrook better.
He didn't turn Westbrook into a CBA teammate, becoming a player whose weaknesses are endlessly magnified. Everyone knows that Westbrook's shooting isn't great, and that's true. But when Jokic sees that Westbrook can't shoot, he tries to improve his own shooting. Last season, Jokic's three-point shooting was already low, with only a 35% hit rate. This season, in order to create space for Westbrook, Jokic moved outwards himself, achieving a three-point hit rate of 47.3%. What more can be said?
A good leader will accept any new player and won't force them to change their style of play. If Westbrook were to come to the Nuggets and squat in the corner, he wouldn't even be worth the minimum salary. However, Jokic knows that you can't shoot, so I'll move out to create space for you inside, without forcing you to go inside, and I'll shoot the three-pointer instead.
This is the change that Jokic made for Westbrook. It can only be said that the two years Westbrook spent with the Lakers were indeed wasted. Moreover, it's a win-win situation for both sides. The Nuggets signed Westbrook for the lowest salary, increasing exposure, commercial value, and the number of national broadcasts. After all, everyone has become somewhat numb to Jokic's triple-doubles, but now, achieving a triple-double together with Westbrook is another topic of discussion.
Westbrook himself has also been saved in his career, encountering a true leader who allows him to play comfortably rather than forcing him to do things he's not good at. It can be said that it's indeed a win-win situation for both sides. Westbrook also said in a post-game interview, "I finally feel trusted in this team. I am willing to give everything for every member of this team. My teammates trust me, and I am willing to repay them."
The implication is clear: there were indeed people in previous teams who did not trust him and targeted him. He said that he is willing to fight and give his all for his teammates in this team. Where else would he not be willing to do so? It must be a place where he put his trust but did not receive reciprocation from his teammates. These words directly exposed James, who, when Westbrook was with the Lakers, did he trust him enough? If Westbrook had come to the Nuggets immediately after leaving the Wizards, he might have really won the championship long ago.