Russell Westbrook, happy with the Denver Nuggets, praises Nikola Jokic: "I am grateful for sharing with the best player in the world"

The Denver Nuggets now stand at 18 wins and 5 losses with Russell Westbrook as a starter after crushing the Sacramento Kings last night. The 36-year-old guard had another solid game contributing to the victory with great plays. After struggling in his role with the two Los Angeles teams, some thought his career might be close to ending. The Nuggets took a chance on him, and now he is grateful for the opportunity they gave him. The signing is paying off and has benefited both the player and the team.

In his two previous roles, Westbrook played more off the ball than with the ball in his hands. The Nuggets have allowed Westbrook to play a mix of dominant on-ball and off-ball play. Westbrook has settled into this role and is thriving in it. Starting the first 14 games with an average of 11.1 points and 36% shooting from the field with a plus/minus average of -6.1, those numbers have greatly improved. In his last 30 games, he is averaging 14.1 points with 51.9% shooting from the field and a plus/minus average of +5.4.

The Nuggets have won eight of their last nine games and 12 of the previous 15. Westbrook has started all 15 games. He thrives in his role, making the Nuggets a dangerous team. His duo with Nikola Jokic has been dominant and historic since his arrival. Westbrook expressed his gratitude for the organization through DNVR Nuggets on X:

"I'm thankful that they wanted me to come here, and secondly, coming here and allowing me to be who I've been my entire career. So I'm thankful for that. Nikola [Jokic] has been a great advocate of that, of the team's improvement. I'm grateful, as I've said before, to share the court with the best player in the world, and I don't take that opportunity for granted."

Westbrook has consistently shown his gratitude throughout the season because the Nuggets have allowed him to play within his style of play. It's a gift and a curse for the Nuggets, benefiting greatly from his play but having six starting-caliber players. Westbrook has been a starter due to the injury of Aaron Gordon. With Gordon back, the Nuggets have been dominant. Westbrook has earned his place in the starting lineup but has preached his "team-first" mentality.

Westbrook's addition to the Nuggets brings one of the best playmakers in NBA history to a pass-heavy offense. So far this season, the Nuggets are averaging 31 assists per game. Their assists per game surpass those of the Memphis Grizzlies by 1.4, who are in second place. What's most impressive is that the Nuggets' 31 assists per game are on track to become the third team with the most assists of all time.

Jokic's words about Westbrook

Since Jokic's arrival, the Nuggets have always been a team with many assists. They have ranked among the top five teams in assists per game every season since 2016-17, but their peak was last season with 29.5 per game. With Westbrook's addition, that figure rose by another 1.5, indicating the boost in playmaking Westbrook brings. Jokic said this about Westbrook's addition to the Nuggets via DNVR Nuggets on X:

"I personally think he's a great veteran, a great leader, a great influence for the young guys. Off the court, I think he's a very good guy to have around."

The team camaraderie has reached its peak for the Nuggets with their winning streak, starting with a "team-first" mentality on and off the court. Westbrook brings that feeling in both areas, which is why he is thriving with Denver. Westbrook is grateful for the opportunity the Nuggets have given him, and the Nuggets should be thankful for all the benefits Westbrook has brought to the franchise.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Russell Westbrook, feliz en Denver Nuggets, se rinde a Nikola Jokic: "Estoy agradecido por compartir con el mejor jugador del mundo"