The ‘MVP-MVP’ combination is finally here, and it’s a positive one at that

Westbrook is having a great preseason in a Denver uniform.

The Denver Nuggets lost 114-118 to the Phoenix Suns in their 2024-2025 NBA preseason game at the Pepsi Bowl Arena in Denver, Colorado, on Thursday (Feb. 14).

Unlike Phoenix, which was without most of its key players, Denver had all of its starters available. It was a preseason game, so it wasn’t a win or a loss, 엔트리 파워사다리 but it was a good way to check the health of the key players.

Denver started Jamal Murray, Christian Brown, Michael Porter Jr, Aaron Gordon, and Nikola Jokic. This will most likely be Denver’s starting lineup next season. Jokic had a huge game with 21 points, 14 rebounds, and nine assists, while Porter Jr. chipped in with 21 points and three rebounds. Murray had a disappointing game with just two points and three assists, but the other key players all played well.

The biggest concern for Denver wasn’t the health of their core players. It was the performance of free agent Russell Westbrook. Westbrook left the Los Angeles Clippers this offseason to join Denver on a two-year, $6.8 million deal.

Denver’s expectations for Westbrook are clear. They want him to lead the bench lineup as a sixth man.

Denver has a solid starting point guard and scorer in Murray. It would be impossible for Westbrook, who is clearly past his prime, to push Murray out. And for a starting shooting guard, Westbrook’s three-point shooting has been among the worst of his NBA career. A sixth man role is optimal for Westbrook.

Of course, the Warriors won’t simply utilize Westbrook as an average sixth man guard. If Murray isn’t healthy, Westbrook will likely get a lot of minutes and will be asked to lead the offense. Westbrook may be past his prime, but he’s still capable of controlling energy levels and tempo. His athleticism is still strong.

Westbrook”s strengths and weaknesses were on display in preseason games. While he still has his trademark activity and energy, his outside shot is lacking and he still plays too quickly.

Still, we can give him a pass on his preseason performance. Westbrook has played in two preseason games so far, averaging 10.5 points, seven assists, and two rebounds. Considering he’s played less than 20 minutes in both of those games, that’s pretty good. It’s exactly what Denver wants from Westbrook.

Denver will have a tough road ahead of them next season. The Nuggets lost their key defender and one of the best 3&D players in the NBA, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. The team was unable to find a suitable replacement, so the plan was to replace him with Brown, an established prospect. With a clearly weakened roster, Westbrook’s signing is Denver’s only hope for next season.

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