Westbrook Officially Joins the Nuggets! The NBA Explodes! The Western Conference Just Got Wilder

The NBA offseason has been full of surprises, but none more shocking than the recent signing of Russell Westbrook by the Denver Nuggets. According to the insider Shams, Westbrook inked a two-year deal worth $6.8 million, with the second year being a player option. This partnership marks the union of two MVPs and triple-double kings, a dynamic duo set to electrify the league.

The Push from Jokic

It's particularly noteworthy that Westbrook's signing with the Nuggets was significantly influenced by Nikola Jokic, the team’s star player. Even before Westbrook was traded from the Clippers to the Jazz, rumors were rife that Jokic was actively recruiting him. Sources even revealed that Westbrook had sent a birthday gift to Jokic, highlighting the budding camaraderie between the two. However, the Nuggets' decision to sign Westbrook wasn't just about appeasing their star player; it was a strategic move to address a glaring weakness in their lineup.

The Need for a Stronger Bench

Denver’s bench performance has been a point of concern. During the regular season, the Nuggets' bench averaged 29.4 points per game, ranking 25th in the league. In the playoffs, this dropped to a dismal 14.8 points per game, the second-worst in the postseason. Many believe that a stronger bench could have prevented the Nuggets from exiting in the second round and missing the chance to defend their championship title.

Westbrook's Struggles and Potential

Westbrook's recent playoff performance was underwhelming, averaging only 6.3 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game, with shooting percentages of 26% from the field and 23.5% from beyond the arc. Despite these struggles, he still offers more than any current bench player on the Nuggets. The best bench performer for Denver in the recent playoffs was second-year player Christian Braun, who averaged 5.1 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 0.8 assists.

Given the right environment and trust, Westbrook has the potential to rediscover his form. Just last year's playoffs, he averaged 24+ points, 8+ rebounds, and 7+ assists. Former Nuggets head coach George Karl is optimistic, believing that Westbrook can help the Nuggets return to the summit of the NBA.

Addressing the Weakest Link

With Westbrook's arrival, the Nuggets have seemingly addressed their weakest link. However, it’s important to temper expectations. The offseason also saw the departure of key guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, who signed a three-year, $66 million deal with the Orlando Magic. The plan is for either Braun or Julian Strawther to step up as the starting guard, but both players are still unproven.

If neither Braun nor Strawther can fill Caldwell-Pope's shoes, there's a possibility that Westbrook might step into the starting point guard role, pushing Jamal Murray to shooting guard. However, notorious critic Skip Bayless has already poured cold water on this idea, claiming that starting Westbrook would be disastrous and even Jokic might regret his decision.

The Westbrook Factor

Regardless of the lineup decisions, the Nuggets with Westbrook are bound to attract more attention. Whether it's optimism or schadenfreude, fans will be watching closely. Westbrook, too, will likely cherish this opportunity with the Nuggets, as this might be his closest shot at an NBA title since his days with the Thunder in 2012.

Since leaving the Thunder in the summer of 2019, Westbrook has played for five teams in five years (excluding the Jazz): the Rockets, Wizards, Lakers, Clippers, and now the Nuggets. He could have ended his career as a one-team player, but chose to roam in pursuit of that elusive championship.

Parallels with James Harden

Westbrook’s journey echoes that of James Harden, who also left the Thunder in search of a title. However, Harden hasn’t been as fortunate. This summer, he chose to stay with the Clippers, a team on the verge of collapse, making his championship aspirations seem increasingly distant.

A Wish for the Old Guards

In conclusion, the hope remains that veterans like Westbrook and Harden will be blessed by the goddess of fortune before their playing days are over, achieving the goals they've fought their entire careers for. As the new NBA season approaches, all eyes will be on Denver to see how this latest move plays out in the already fiercely competitive Western Conference.