The Nuggets defeated the Mavericks 112-101 on the road, securing their third consecutive victory. With a record of 23 wins and 15 losses, the Nuggets have firmly established themselves in fourth place in the Western Conference. After today's win, the gap between the Nuggets and the fifth-placed Mavericks has widened to 1.5 games. Additionally, the Nuggets are 1.5 games behind the third-placed Grizzlies and 2 games behind the Rockets. Overall, the Nuggets still have a chance to compete for second place in the West this year, as the Rockets and Grizzlies face challenging schedules ahead. It must be said that the acquisition of Westbrook has been a success. In the games where Westbrook started, the Nuggets had a record of 13 wins and 4 losses, with a win rate of 76.5%. Since entering 2025, Westbrook has averaged an impressive 17.9 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 8 assists, with a shooting percentage of 52%. Over the past four games, Westbrook has scored a total of 91 points, grabbed 36 rebounds, and dished out 31 assists, leading the Nuggets to a record of 3 wins and 1 loss, narrowly missing a perfect 4-0. Moreover, Westbrook excels in playing against the wind, and the Nuggets have the most come-from-behind victories this season. What surprises the Nuggets the most is that Gordon has returned from injury, making the team whole again. Given Westbrook's current performance, Malone is reluctant to bench him. It is likely that Braun will move to the bench, and Gordon will return to the starting lineup after adjusting. This lineup features Westbrook…

On January 13, 2025, Beijing time, the 22-win and 16-loss Mavericks hosted the 22-win and 15-loss Nuggets. On paper, the Nuggets had a clear advantage as Doncic and Irving were not playing, while all the main players of the Nuggets were present. However, the Mavericks had defeated the Lakers and Trail Blazers in their absence to achieve a two-game winning streak. Could they create another miracle today? The Mavericks' starting lineup was Dinwiddie, Thompson, Marshall, Washington, and Lively, while the Nuggets had Gordon returning from injury, coming off the bench. The Nuggets' starting lineup was Westbrook, Murray, Braun, Porter, and Jokic. In the first quarter, Lively and Marshall scored 6-0, followed by Jokic's layup. Marshall hit a three-pointer, and the Mavericks led 9-2. Jokic made one of two free throws, and Marshall scored again, with Thompson adding eight points, extending the Mavericks' lead to 19-3, a 16-point advantage. Jokic and Porter responded with points, but Washington and Gafford kept the gap at 16 points. Porter, Westbrook, and Gordon scored for the Nuggets, while Dinwiddie and Hardy replied, maintaining a 15-point difference. Jokic scored with a hook shot, but Graham and Gafford responded, keeping the lead at 17 points. Gordon made a jumper, and the first quarter ended with the Mavericks leading 32-17. In the second quarter, Jordan and Gordon scored four points for the Nuggets, reducing the gap to 11 points. Thompson hit a three-pointer, and Hardy made free throws, extending the lead to 16 points. Westbrook, Jordan, and Strus brought the deficit down to nine points. Lively scored with…

Jordan and James, undoubtedly the two brightest superstars in NBA history. The former is known as the highest mountain, with 6 championships, 6 FMVPs, 5 MVPs, and 10 scoring titles, unparalleled in both honors and abilities. The latter is seen as the longest river, with a 22-year career that has amassed 40,000 points + 10,000 rebounds + 10,000 assists, 13 selections to the All-NBA First Team, and 20 All-Star appearances, making efficiency and longevity synonymous with James. At the same time, Jordan and James are among the few players who have played until they were 40 years old. So, disregarding their peak periods, who performed better when they were 40 years old? Below, I will compare their individual statistics, efficiency values, game influence, and more to explore this question. First, let's look at Jordan. In the 2002-03 season, at the age of 40, Jordan played all 82 regular-season games, averaging 36.9 minutes per game, scoring 20 points, grabbing 6.1 rebounds, dishing out 3.8 assists, stealing 1.5 times, and blocking 0.5 shots, with a shooting percentage of 44.5%, a three-point percentage of 29.1%, and a free-throw percentage of 82.1%. Although Jordan had descended from his throne at this point and could no longer soar through the air like he did in his youth, in terms of experience and skills, the 40-year-old Jordan had reached a master level, not inferior even to rising stars like Kobe and McGrady. That season, Jordan scored over 30 points in 15 games, over 40 points in 3 games, with a single-game high of 51 points. It…

Watching the heartfelt smile of 36-year-old Russ, I sincerely wish him well. Westbrook didn't have such a smile during his time with LAL and LAC. He complements Jokic, and in the game against the Nets, Westbrook scored 25 points, grabbed 11 rebounds, and dished out 10 assists, ending the game with a powerful dunk. Meanwhile, Jokic, playing alongside Westbrook, recorded 35 points, 15 assists, and 12 rebounds, achieving another triple-double together. After the game, in an interview at the Nuggets' home court, Westbrook hadn't even started speaking when the crowd erupted into cheers for him. The Thunderous One, earning a modest $3.3 million salary, found acceptance here. Westbrook said, "Nikola is the best player in the world; he makes the game simple, and I try to make the game simple too. Our whole team plays simpler." Post-game, Mike Malone spoke about Jokic and Westbrook achieving another triple-double together: "Folks, you're witnessing history. Every game can be a moment to witness history; our games are like the 'History Channel.'" This game saw the "Six Double Brothers" set multiple records: 1. Westbrook achieved his 202nd career triple-double, continuing to break the historical record; 2. Jokic recorded his 15th triple-double of the season, leading the league, with a total of 145 triple-doubles historically, ranking third and setting a new record for centers; 3. Westbrook and Jokic became the first pair to achieve a 25+ triple-double together; 4. They tied the record for the most triple-doubles in a season by a duo (previously held by Butler and Adebayo); 5. From 2009 to 2025, Westbrook…

As of January 12th, Beijing time, the competition for the NBA's scoring title has intensified since the start of the new season. The average points per game for three major stars - Giannis Antetokounmpo, Nikola Jokic, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (SGA) - are separated by only 0.1 points, making them hot candidates for the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award as well. So far, Giannis Antetokounmpo has played 30 games, averaging 31.7 points to temporarily lead the league; Nikola Jokic has played 32 games, averaging 31.6 points to rank second in the league; SGA has played 37 games, averaging 31.5 points to rank third in the season's scoring list. Giannis Antetokounmpo averages 0.1 points more than Jokic, while Jokic averages 0.1 points more than SGA, indicating that the competition for the scoring title this season will be fierce. To date, they are the only three players in the entire league with an average score exceeding 30 points per game. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Nikola Jokic, and SGA are also strong contenders for the regular-season MVP this season. In the latest MVP power rankings, SGA surpassed Jokic to rise to first place in the league, with Jokic ranking second and Giannis Antetokounmpo ranking third, making the MVP race equally fierce. Currently, the Thunder have a record of 31 wins and 6 losses, ranking first in the West; the Nuggets have 22 wins and 15 losses, ranking fourth in the West; and the Bucks have 20 wins and 16 losses, ranking fourth in the East. I wonder, who do you think will ultimately win the scoring…

Translation: "An MVP from the West and an Eastern 'laughingstock,' what sparks could these two ignite?" When the Nuggets signed Westbrook, almost everyone had doubts and questions. Some fans even jokingly questioned whether the Nuggets' management had a short-circuited brain, how could they think of pairing the "nearly scrapped" Westbrook with the already busy Jokic? But reality is often more exciting than fiction, and this seemingly mismatched pair used their chemistry and strength to lead the Nuggets to a triumphant march. From on-court statistics to off-court interviews, they not only silenced doubters but also became the biggest contributors to the Nuggets' strong record this season. The Nuggets' performance this season fully deserves the words "steady and solid." In the first 20 games of the season, they won 14 games, ranking fourth in the West. This achievement is not explosive, but considering that the team experienced an injury wave at the beginning of the season, with Murray and Gordon missing some games, it is quite surprising to achieve such a win rate. More importantly, the team's playing style and chemistry are becoming increasingly mature, especially when Westbrook and Jokic play together, the fluidity of the game is visibly apparent. In fact, saying that Westbrook joining the Nuggets was "highly controversial" is no exaggeration. At the beginning of the season, the outside world generally did not favor this move, after all, Westbrook's performance last season with the Lakers could be described as a "disaster." Whether it was on-court decision-making or public perception, Westbrook became the target of public opinion. Yet the Nuggets…

In the NBA arena, Russell Westbrook has always been known for his powerful and dominant playing style. From his early days in the league, his lightning-fast breaks and passionate dunks were like surging tides, repeatedly attacking the opponent's defense and igniting the fans' enthusiasm. In those years, he often relied on his own strength to tear through the opponent's defense, single-handedly breaking into the paint, and scoring in the crowded restricted area, as if nothing could stop him. Westbrook is also the astonishing "triple-double machine," seemingly omnipresent on the court. He could compete for rebounds under the basket with the big men inside, and complete steals with lightning speed, initiate fast breaks, and then deliver precise assists to his teammates, helping them score easily. He defines the concept of an all-around player with his skills, repeatedly setting triple-double records and becoming a unique landscape in the league. However, this season, fans were surprised to find that this star, who has always had a tough and unique style, has quietly changed his approach! The once "ball-dominant" Westbrook now does more to set up his teammates on the court, willing to create opportunities for them, reducing his ball-handling solo play and increasing his off-ball movement and catch-and-shoot attempts. Such a significant change is like a cheetah suddenly retracting its claws and instead using its agility to cooperate with teammates in hunting, how can it not be surprising and curious? This change quickly sparked a wave of heated discussions among fans and the media, with everyone asking: What prompted Westbrook to make such…

In the NBA, minimum-salary players are considered to be on the fringes of the league. Generally speaking, a team's minimum salary is akin to shopping on Taobao. If you find a good player, it's a great deal that can enhance the team's competitiveness. If you get an average player, you can cut them at any time without any impact. Therefore, minimum-salary players face significant pressure and could be eliminated from the NBA at any moment. However, there are also many players in the league who, despite being on minimum-salary contracts, have delivered outstanding performances, such as Westbrook proving himself and Jones giving up a million-dollar annual salary. Westbrook Last year, Westbrook chose to leave the Clippers and joined the Nuggets on a minimum salary. At the time, many fans believed that Westbrook was incompatible with Jokic. However, this year, Westbrook has proven himself with his actions. So far this season, he has averaged 12.9 points, 5 rebounds, and 6.8 assists with a shooting percentage of 46%. The current Westbrook is capable of doing the dirty work, excelling in defense, maintaining offensive stability, and possessing rebounding and playmaking abilities. With such a performance, the Nuggets can be said to have found a gem. Dunn Prior to this, Dunn had been wandering through multiple teams in the league. He has decent skills but inconsistent performances and not a high attendance rate, which is why he hasn't achieved success. Now, he has joined the Clippers on a minimum salary, and the cost-effectiveness is quite high. Dunn averages 6.5 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 2.6…

Jordan and James, undoubtedly the two brightest superstars in NBA history. The former is known as the highest mountain, with 6 championships, 6 FMVPs, 5 MVPs, and 10 scoring titles, unparalleled in both honors and abilities. The latter is seen as the longest river, with a 22-year career that has amassed 40,000 points + 10,000 rebounds + 10,000 assists, 13 selections to the All-NBA First Team, and 20 All-Star appearances, making efficiency and longevity synonymous with James. At the same time, Jordan and James are among the few players who have been able to play until the age of 40. So, disregarding their peak periods, who performed better when they were 40 years old? Below, I will compare them through personal statistics, efficiency values, game influence, and other aspects to explore this question for you. First, let's look at Jordan. In the 2002-03 season, at the age of 40, Jordan played all 82 regular-season games, averaging 36.9 minutes per game, scoring 20 points, 6.1 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.5 steals, and 0.5 blocks, with a shooting percentage of 44.5%, three-point percentage of 29.1%, and free-throw percentage of 82.1%. Although Jordan had descended from his throne at this point and could no longer soar like he did in his youth, in terms of experience and skills, the 40-year-old Jordan had reached a master level, not inferior even to rising stars like Kobe and McGrady. That season, Jordan scored over 30 points in 15 games, over 40 points in 3 games, with a single-game high of 51 points. It can be seen that…

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…