The Denver Nuggets will enter the 2024-25 NBA season looking to prove they’re still title contenders, though the roster experienced a shakeup this past offseason.
The Nuggets lost Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Reggie Jackson to the Orlando Magic and the Philadelphia 76ers, respectively.
This left Denver thin in the backcourt, though they managed to sign Russell Westbrook after he was traded to and waived by the Utah Jazz.
Westbrook spent the 2023-24 NBA season with the Los Angeles Clippers and was a key cog off the bench and will likely resume the same role with the Nuggets.
However, there was some skepticism about the move as Westbrook has historically not been as effective playing alongside another ball-dominant player.
Westbrook has gotten criticism over the years for his teams’ lack of success but NBA legend Oscar Robertson came to his defense via Joey Linn of Sports Illustrated.
“For some strange reason, I don’t know why they want to keep blaming everything that happens on him… When he plays he is dynamic, he gives the team a spark. Then all of a sudden they don’t care for him, they don’t want him,” Robertson said.
Oscar Robertson says Russell Westbrook has gotten an unfair shake in the NBA:
“For some strange reason, I don’t know why they want to keep blaming everything that happens on him… When he plays he is dynamic, he gives the team a spark. Then all of a sudden they don’t care for… pic.twitter.com/GLmjG5A4OR
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) August 17, 2024
Westbrook is often compared to Robertson because of his ability to rack up stats and triple-doubles, and the latter seems to be bothered about the narrative that the new Nuggets guard is solely to blame for losses.
It’s true that Westbrook has been the subject of some dishonest basketball discourse, but he could prove any doubters wrong with his play for a Denver team looking to win another title.
NEXT:
Trae Young Makes A Bold Claim About Michael Porter Jr.