Yeah that was the Big Kiwi letting the mask slip a bit to see the really intelligent player he is. Yes, of course, he understands his role on offense and defense and as a professional he does that extremely well. What you see the flashes of are the rapid and good decision making both with and without the ball that gives him serious 'value add' in the position.
Pro -- plays 110% and has one speed. Con -- can't shoot for $48M/year Pro -- incredible value for $3.8M (i'd argue he's worth $15-20M) I'm glad he's showcasing his true value. Jokic >> LeBlame
I'm happy to see him do well but he was not max effort with the lakers. The thing that was most galling wasn't that he was blowing all kinds of crazy lay-ups or bad shots, but just that he did not box out / run back hard / etc. Anyway sometimes things just don't work but he is a legend and it's great to see him be such a good fit on this team
Jokic is such a funny guy. While everyone tells their GM: "Give me AD", "Give me Dame" or "Build a super team for me", he said: "Give me the guy the world say he is washed".
I’m sure he’d love dame and AD goofy. The nuggets simply don’t have the assets nor the spots to get those guys so he makes do with what he has. Acting like jokic would say no to an AD or a Gianni’s or a Dame is simply delusional
Another reason for the higher percentage at the rim is that there are usually no big under the rim since they have to stay on Jokic all the time, especially this year where his shooting from 3 is crazy good.
This was my thought. More often than not, Jokic has pulled the blocking threat out of position and if you leave him open Westbrook will just pass it to him and now you have an open Jokic in the post. The Nuggets also do a better job of moving without the ball than teams Russ has been on previously, due to them already having the mindset that Joker will find them if they’re open.
@@geraldyin5913 Westbrook used to charge at basket, his raw athelticism and power on full display, but now if something isn't lined up for an easy-ish bucket he waits for someone else to cut, to reposition himself instead of taking the awkward shot or pass even after driving into the paint. They are actually moves a post-up player might do. That wait, that hesitation, that quick fake is something that was incredibly rare in his game in the past. Jokic has such a slow, methodical way of attacking the basket, being okay with taking shots later in shot clock if it leads to a higher percentage shot that's so different from players who depend entirely on thier athelticism to blow by. It's likely that seeing a different way to play basketball up close has made him a way better basketball player, even so late into his career.
Jokic has been training his teammates to always be ready to receive a pass and to frequently cut to the basket. I'm sure it's a breath of fresh air for Westbrook to have teammates that move without the ball.
you cant seriously think he has always been a smart player tho😂 just a super athlete and a good player, but not a high IQ one as that is what the video is about
@@Jayh247 fr bro. This guy has excellent vision but the iq and decision making was somehow lagging behind. Dude could make a brilliant magic-esque pass one play and then give you the most atrocious play right after.
Russ been capable of playing this well for the past 5 years. He did it in Huston and on wizards and first year on clippers. It was the Lakers that fucked him over foreal
yea putting on a laker jersey just magically zapped all his powers and made him an abysmal finsher, terrible shooter, and turnover machine... definitely no fault of his own
@@showtimelik3 the crazy part is you guys forgot how that laker team looked. The team was just bad. Russ got some crazy crazy big plays with his laker jersey. You can look up russ defense on lakers and see 10 minute vids of him playing lockdown defense or look up russ assist highlights on lakers or russ playing dunker spot or being a screener. He did everything for that squad
Yea. Congrats Daniel on hitting 100k! And hell yea. Joker is a winner. He knows how to lead and truly... Truly make everyone better. Hopefully Nuggets management do justice to his time in Nuggets.
Westbrook's assist number to Jokic really amaze me. It is like the Nuggets, for all these years, did not realize that passing the ball to their MVP big man is great offense. It really takes Westbrook to figure out passing through and to Jokic is the best offensive action they have. Like... how did this happen?
Thats one way to look at it. You could also appreciate westbrooks playmaking and be happy for jokic he finally found a great point guard (considering Murray more as a combo/score first guard) to play with.
Murray had great P&R game with Jokic, MPJ and Gordon are mainly finishers, but none of the rest of the rosters found assisting Jokic easy until Westbrook came along? That's what amazed me. Nothing against Westbrook or anyone on the Nuggets.
As a die hard nugget fan who has watched nearly every game for 37 years, it's murray. Murray is not a good pg, yes a good player, but a poor pg. He dribbles the air out of the ball so he can justify shooting bad shots late in the clock. Truly should be a 6th man cuz that role would fit him much better than a starting pg.
Great analysis bro. Russ explosiveness is still there pretty much but I love his improved strategy when attacking the rim. It looks more efficient than ever and doesn't look forced. Russ seems to get his confidence back and that's beneficial to the team going into post season.
It really is a pleasure to watch him and Joker play. Right from the start they were making plays that seemed to even surprise themselves at first. They are 2 of the best to ever hit the court and it showed immediately despite it being a seemingly awkward fit. They can make plays no one else on the court is capable of making and it's a joy to watch. When it gets closer to the end of the season, and Russ gets a glimpse of that title he's wanted so bad for so long, Denver is gonna become very dangerous. Russ gonna get that chip!
As a Celtics fan a I genuinely want to see that. Russ is my favorite player man. He’s the only player in the league I truly resonate with. If the Celtics don’t win a chip, I want Russ and the nuggets to get theirs.
I'm really Happy for Russ that he found a Team & especially a great Player like Jokic who wants him He's experienced enough to appreciate that & it's not only that Russ himself became better it's also that Players like Jamal Murray & Aaron Gordon have been under pressure to perform Murray was under a lot of pressure after his poor Start & is now much better Nikola Jokic is really Special He makes every Player around him better & i hope it stays that Way!
I din like Westbrook in LA and to a certain extent Houston. But im so happy for him in Denver. Beautiful finishes finally from a guy running at top speed. It makes those successful layups more satisfying
This is a first time I have seen your video. Great work, man. I like your analysis, flow, and tone. Although, I won't subscribe. That's completely on my personal thing because I would highly recommend people to subscribe you. Keep up the good stuffs, man.
nuggets is more team style but the best teams are the superteams. celtics. okc. multiple all stars. can the nuggets or the cavs actually compete? nope they cant.
@@johnmarkson1990 Russ been averaging almost 20 tho Jamal has been doing good but can share the rock more mpj has improved shooting splits petty Watsons defense Deandre Jordan can step up when needed and Aaron Gordon is back
Love the callout about Russ adding value by being an outlet target rather than being the one bringing the ball up over half court every time. I think this has helped keep his legs fresh and keep defenses guessing about how to try and stop his drives. It's always harder as a post defender to keep track of shifty point guards when they're in the outlet as often as they are holding the ball. PGs who are always bringing the ball up make it easier on defenses to find their man and get set. Also, those LA clips of their stagnant offense and complete lack of timing and floor spacing was very telling.
Finally a team and a coach that knows how to utilize Westbrook's under appreciated skill-set. He's looking super good so far. Hope they keep it up for playoffs. Jokic will need all the help he can get.
I think he just didn't have a lot to work with in LA to help with his reduced athleticism. When he had the ball, people mostly stood still waiting for him to make something happen or catch and shoot. And when he didn't have the ball he was expected to catch the ball and shoot himself. In Denver the motion gives him more ppl to pass to and also gives him more time to gather himself before trying to score.
Malone and Ty Lue are underrated coaches. They know how to make great players mesh while taking into consideration their strengths and weaknesses. Joker and Russ have great hooper instincts. Russ in his older years is going to inspire younger guys to find good coaches and to allow them to coached by them. Gordon the Mall finding good chemistry with Russ on the fast break can still be improved so they have even more ceiling
Russ also stopped taking long 2s when he is given space at the 3. now, if he gets the ball at the 3, he drives. unless it’s in the corner, then he shoots and makes 44%.
I remember watching this man on okc pre AND post KD pull up transition, contested 3s when his act knows he can’t shoot. That LA stint humbled his ass into a better player/role even if it isn’t as glorious as the one he wanted before. Btw we can never question Westbrook passion and love for the game
I'm the biggest Westbrook hater; but he's playing some beautiful basketball and getting his team easy easy easy buckets. If he played like this his whole career he mightve been the best PG ever.
As a long standing Russ "hater" I'm so happy to see him finally just playing under control and being willing to move around off ball. He's always been an unreal talent and these adjustments to his game can truly make him a winning kinda player in the playoffs
I hated his stat padding period. I questioned his fit in the Nuggets coming in, but wasn't worried because his salary isn't heavy. His growing pains almost proved me right. I'm so glad he revived his game with Jokic. He even added corner threes to his tool kit. He's easily worth 20-25m per year now. Murray is the 6th man now.
you are bad hater as he was 2nd best in wizards, and great player in clippers. Ppl are talking about clippers po, as something negative, but they had their best player injured. Kawhi cant stay healthy, and George had shoulder pains. By watching those po games, you see that russ does many things that cant be seen by watching highlights and stats. He was playing rebounds, great defence and creating space for shooters.
@@GamingSlothVideo you say that, but there were also multiple games where it was clear Russ couldn't be on the floor in the playoffs due to his defense, decision making and lack of shooting. He was great for them in the regular season but iffy in the playoffs. Granted iffy was an improvement
The truth is that Westbrook didn't learn this things in the past off season. He was already like this but wasn't in a team that could give him to support to play like this. I see the coach and tm treating him with respect and when the nº 1 in the team, and in the league, treat you like Nikola does, you have to follow. Westbrook is in the perfect environment to play at his full potential considering his age and experience.
That was a damn good pass by Westbrook at 1:22. Then another dayum good pass at 1:27. Dayum Yoke. He's done improved Westbrook. He kicked it back out for 3. Dayum. It's like his reflexes got faster or his thought process.
I'm glad Russ has found a new home, but wake me up when the games truly matter (the playoffs). I'm hoping this isn't another case of, "he trick y'all" because we've seen and heard Russ say and do all the right things after his tenure in OKC ended. It's HARD to teach an old dog new tricks, doubly so when the lights are brightest. Defensive intensity goes up in May, and the schemes get scheme-y for a reason. Only time will tell.
Although I do think Russ has improved, I think his better play is just actually having a good offensive system. Aside for the clippers, which I personally think he played in first year and could’ve competed for a chip if healthy, he only struggled next season due to the lack of opportunities and less complex of a system, everyone always talks how iso heavy it is, just drive and kick out, that’s very easy to guard for elite teams. This is the first time he actually had good shooters of the team and a good offensive system imo.
Great breakdown as always! Speaks volumes of both Joker and Russ. Joker's skill and IQ was already undeniable, but being able to bring out the best out of everyone is truly what sets him apart. Different from the way that someone like a Harden or Lebron does it - not a knock on those types of players. But being able to dominate without really having insane usage is magical to watch. Modern, conventional wisdom would be to surround Jokic with 4 shooters, and yet Denver has been able to make this team work while having 2 non-shooters on the floor at the same time. That is a complement to how good both AG and Russ are at their roles, but also, that is on Jokic being so good at understanding how to maximise his teammates and his udnerstanding of how to use every inch of the court to manipulate defenses. And of course, Russ deserves his props. Jokic is a big part of it, but it is always commendable for someone who used to be a ball-dominant superstar, finally adjusting his playstyle to fit the team. Again, it is always easier to do so when you are with a guy as great as Jokic, but that takes away nothing from Russ willingness to evolve even at this stage of his career. Maintaining the same aggressiveness, but this time through cuts and off-ball movement. This is the same reason why Wade will always be my favorite player - yes, he had the ball in his hands a ton, as he should. But something he was always good at even when he was younger, and all the more as he got older, was his ability, IQ, and knack, for cutting and finding open-space, off-ball.
Everybody keep trying to put their finger on the 'change' in Westbrook. It's the difference between playing with assholes he didn't like as opposed to playing with dudes he does like. It's the difference between playing together and playing alone...a growing trend in today's NBA.
Plus westbrook stopped taking those atrocious midrange jumpers that worsened his efficiency. He adapted to the game where threes and layups are the bread and butter.
I just want to mention that this Russell Westbrook role has been seen before! On the 2020 Rockets, he was leveraged as a short roll passer, dunker spot roamer, and "release valve" as youput it. Granted, he was still trying to carry his own scoring burden so that makes it meaningfully different. But the skillset has been tapped into before by D'Antoni, so I'd say he saw the vision for him longterm when he's no longer the primary initiator. Took Russ a bit to come around to it though.
Fans act like scenery of basketball dosent matter or the media presence. Westbrook went from the lakers where he was struggling at the end badly getting his named slander, goes right next door to the clippers where it’s a little better cause those fans aren’t harsh or media crazy like the lakers. Denver’s fan are amazing and very basketball loving no matter how their team does they support everyone. Maybe it’s the dynamic of the two different franchises but I’m glad to see Westbrook being himself again
You're overthinking it! It's simple bro! for the first time in his career, Russ is surrounded by great players. Now he's playing in a system that suits him. Usually, he plays with another good player but on a bad team and fit
First time? Russ fans are delusional. Who’s played with more stars than Russ? Bron AD PG (2xtimes) Beal Harden (3xtimes) KD KP Melo Kawhi and now fricking. jokic
Russ did everything for the damn lakers. He played the corner he played the dunker spot he play screen and roll man. He guarded the best player night in and night out. You can look up russ defense on lakers on YT and find 10 min videos of him locking down star players. You can look up russ assists and find 10 min videos of russ being a great playmaker for the lakers easy
Russ and jokic have very good zodiac harmony. They are both water signs (Pisces and Scorpio). They understand each other without having to explain themselves
As a long-time OKC fan, I cannot express how frustrating it is to see Russ making these changes so late in his career when we were all BEGGING him to change years ago
First of all he was a stat pattern, he did steal rebounds, he was the reason the Lakers were bad. Think about it. They went to the conference finals the same year. They traded him. Westbrook fans are trying to be slick by doing revisionist history about Westbrook's actual career. He was a low IQ player. He was selfish. He was difficult to play with and now he's playing beautiful. Now he's playing the beautiful basketball. Every Westbrook fan wanted him to play.
All it took for Westbrook to be effective was several years of being humbled before being paired with one of the best players of all time. He made it 🙏
So many haters (and fairweather Nuggets fans) were upset with him coming here. I said again and again "He knows the role, what we need from him, that's the Russ you're gonna see." Welp, here we are ⚒️🏔️❤️
New and improved? It’s literally the same person in a different environment. Saying Russ was stat padding in okc just shows you don’t watch basketball or know what you’re talking about. Stevan adams, paul George, jerami grant, and others had career high rebounding years on those same okc teams. People are just haters
That Steven Adams intentionally missing 2nd free throw, then pass to Westbrook to connect 3point lives rent free in my head
Yeah that was the Big Kiwi letting the mask slip a bit to see the really intelligent player he is. Yes, of course, he understands his role on offense and defense and as a professional he does that extremely well. What you see the flashes of are the rapid and good decision making both with and without the ball that gives him serious 'value add' in the position.
@@guiwhiz He is THAT GUY uno!
Love to see westbrook doing well he’s the type of player that leaves it all out there full effort every game
Yea he was the type of player I like. Hustle player that if nothing else will at least try his hardest.
Pro -- plays 110% and has one speed.
Con -- can't shoot for $48M/year
Pro -- incredible value for $3.8M (i'd argue he's worth $15-20M)
I'm glad he's showcasing his true value. Jokic >> LeBlame
Casuals undervalue consistent effort.
he's one of the most likable players in the league, even with all his previous issues with effiiciency
I'm happy to see him do well but he was not max effort with the lakers. The thing that was most galling wasn't that he was blowing all kinds of crazy lay-ups or bad shots, but just that he did not box out / run back hard / etc. Anyway sometimes things just don't work but he is a legend and it's great to see him be such a good fit on this team
Jokic is such a funny guy. While everyone tells their GM: "Give me AD", "Give me Dame" or "Build a super team for me", he said: "Give me the guy the world say he is washed".
genuis
goatic can work with ANYBODY unlike a lot of stars today
I’m sure he’d love dame and AD goofy. The nuggets simply don’t have the assets nor the spots to get those guys so he makes do with what he has. Acting like jokic would say no to an AD or a Gianni’s or a Dame is simply delusional
😂😂@@Nahanoo
Lebron tried it first and failed but Jokic is slowly making it work
Another reason for the higher percentage at the rim is that there are usually no big under the rim since they have to stay on Jokic all the time, especially this year where his shooting from 3 is crazy good.
This was my thought. More often than not, Jokic has pulled the blocking threat out of position and if you leave him open Westbrook will just pass it to him and now you have an open Jokic in the post. The Nuggets also do a better job of moving without the ball than teams Russ has been on previously, due to them already having the mindset that Joker will find them if they’re open.
Great point!
seems like Russ picked up a little bit of Jokic's style while practicing with him, so cool to see brodie back in action
What style is that?
@@geraldyin5913 team sport, an assist is valued as well as a point
@@geraldyin5913 Westbrook used to charge at basket, his raw athelticism and power on full display, but now if something isn't lined up for an easy-ish bucket he waits for someone else to cut, to reposition himself instead of taking the awkward shot or pass even after driving into the paint. They are actually moves a post-up player might do. That wait, that hesitation, that quick fake is something that was incredibly rare in his game in the past. Jokic has such a slow, methodical way of attacking the basket, being okay with taking shots later in shot clock if it leads to a higher percentage shot that's so different from players who depend entirely on thier athelticism to blow by. It's likely that seeing a different way to play basketball up close has made him a way better basketball player, even so late into his career.
Jokic has been training his teammates to always be ready to receive a pass and to frequently cut to the basket. I'm sure it's a breath of fresh air for Westbrook to have teammates that move without the ball.
This is the key. With the lakers they didn’t structure their offense for this at all.
"statpadder" narrative pushers need to realize you don't average a triple double just because you want to. Russ is, and still is an elite playmaker
you cant seriously think he has always been a smart player tho😂 just a super athlete and a good player, but not a high IQ one as that is what the video is about
No he definitely was stat padding post KD OKC
@@Jayh247 fr bro. This guy has excellent vision but the iq and decision making was somehow lagging behind. Dude could make a brilliant magic-esque pass one play and then give you the most atrocious play right after.
@@filipino0021Nah. Unless you consider stuffing as much numbers as possible to win "stat-padding".
Nah man, just no 😂
Russ been capable of playing this well for the past 5 years. He did it in Huston and on wizards and first year on clippers. It was the Lakers that fucked him over foreal
“Lebron james”
yea putting on a laker jersey just magically zapped all his powers and made him an abysmal finsher, terrible shooter, and turnover machine... definitely no fault of his own
@@21Kolb lebron James makes star players worse. If you’re not an absolute scorer. Kyrie was easy for Lebron to play with ky just scores🤣
@@showtimelik3 the crazy part is you guys forgot how that laker team looked. The team was just bad. Russ got some crazy crazy big plays with his laker jersey. You can look up russ defense on lakers and see 10 minute vids of him playing lockdown defense or look up russ assist highlights on lakers or russ playing dunker spot or being a screener. He did everything for that squad
@@Taesosmooth i agree however playing with bron is not easy, unless you are an absolute bucket getter with impeccable efficiency.
Just less than 1k to 100k subs; let's goooo, people! Get this man his plaque, he deserves it!
Yea. Congrats Daniel on hitting 100k! And hell yea. Joker is a winner. He knows how to lead and truly... Truly make everyone better. Hopefully Nuggets management do justice to his time in Nuggets.
Congrats on being so close to 100K Daniel, been loving the content
Hi 6man, big fan!
@@sgrey9181 Hello Sgrey, thank you :)
A collab or podcast with you two would be fun! Different styles of presentation, but appreciate both y'all videos!
Westbrook's assist number to Jokic really amaze me. It is like the Nuggets, for all these years, did not realize that passing the ball to their MVP big man is great offense. It really takes Westbrook to figure out passing through and to Jokic is the best offensive action they have. Like... how did this happen?
Thats one way to look at it. You could also appreciate westbrooks playmaking and be happy for jokic he finally found a great point guard (considering Murray more as a combo/score first guard) to play with.
@@maartenvz im hoping murray steps up these next couple games. The nuggets would be the best in the west if he just stay consistent and score
Murray had great P&R game with Jokic, MPJ and Gordon are mainly finishers, but none of the rest of the rosters found assisting Jokic easy until Westbrook came along? That's what amazed me. Nothing against Westbrook or anyone on the Nuggets.
@@RuinAngelnone of the names you named are plus playmakers. Russ is one of the best playmakers of the last decade
As a die hard nugget fan who has watched nearly every game for 37 years, it's murray. Murray is not a good pg, yes a good player, but a poor pg. He dribbles the air out of the ball so he can justify shooting bad shots late in the clock. Truly should be a 6th man cuz that role would fit him much better than a starting pg.
Great analysis bro.
Russ explosiveness is still there pretty much but I love his improved strategy when attacking the rim.
It looks more efficient than ever and doesn't look forced.
Russ seems to get his confidence back and that's beneficial to the team going into post season.
So happy for Wes that’s my guy really hoping he gets his chip this year.
It really is a pleasure to watch him and Joker play. Right from the start they were making plays that seemed to even surprise themselves at first. They are 2 of the best to ever hit the court and it showed immediately despite it being a seemingly awkward fit. They can make plays no one else on the court is capable of making and it's a joy to watch. When it gets closer to the end of the season, and Russ gets a glimpse of that title he's wanted so bad for so long, Denver is gonna become very dangerous. Russ gonna get that chip!
As a Celtics fan a I genuinely want to see that. Russ is my favorite player man. He’s the only player in the league I truly resonate with. If the Celtics don’t win a chip, I want Russ and the nuggets to get theirs.
I'm really Happy for Russ that he found a Team & especially a great Player like Jokic who wants him He's experienced enough to appreciate that & it's not only that Russ himself became better it's also that Players like Jamal Murray & Aaron Gordon have been under pressure to perform Murray was under a lot of pressure after his poor Start & is now much better Nikola Jokic is really Special He makes every Player around him better & i hope it stays that Way!
Great video (again), i just love watching the nuggets and especially Jokic creating beautiful basketball.
Bro the way you analyze the game is so good. I'll subscribe and hope you get 1 million subs.
i love this channel! Thanks Coach Daniel
I din like Westbrook in LA and to a certain extent Houston. But im so happy for him in Denver. Beautiful finishes finally from a guy running at top speed. It makes those successful layups more satisfying
This is a first time I have seen your video. Great work, man. I like your analysis, flow, and tone.
Although, I won't subscribe. That's completely on my personal thing because I would highly recommend people to subscribe you.
Keep up the good stuffs, man.
Jokic and russ winning a ring would literally save basketball form superteam merchants. Make it happen please 🙏
nuggets is more team style but the best teams are the superteams. celtics. okc. multiple all stars. can the nuggets or the cavs actually compete? nope they cant.
@@johnmarkson1990yes they can 3 people don’t make up a 12 ish man roster
@ if jokic goes to the bench he has no other all star to carry the team. you need at least 3 all stars to win.
@@johnmarkson1990 Russ been averaging almost 20 tho Jamal has been doing good but can share the rock more mpj has improved shooting splits petty Watsons defense Deandre Jordan can step up when needed and Aaron Gordon is back
@@johnmarkson1990 Offensively the Nuggets are as good as anyone…. Defensively they’re very suspect
I've only seen some of your recent vids, but goddamn you do everything right
your analysis is so on point! Release valve and spatial awareness. Top class analysis
Glad to have stumbled into this channel. It's some of the best basketball content on TH-cam.
Love the callout about Russ adding value by being an outlet target rather than being the one bringing the ball up over half court every time. I think this has helped keep his legs fresh and keep defenses guessing about how to try and stop his drives. It's always harder as a post defender to keep track of shifty point guards when they're in the outlet as often as they are holding the ball. PGs who are always bringing the ball up make it easier on defenses to find their man and get set. Also, those LA clips of their stagnant offense and complete lack of timing and floor spacing was very telling.
Finally a team and a coach that knows how to utilize Westbrook's under appreciated skill-set. He's looking super good so far. Hope they keep it up for playoffs. Jokic will need all the help he can get.
Thank you for making this video!
I think he just didn't have a lot to work with in LA to help with his reduced athleticism.
When he had the ball, people mostly stood still waiting for him to make something happen or catch and shoot.
And when he didn't have the ball he was expected to catch the ball and shoot himself.
In Denver the motion gives him more ppl to pass to and also gives him more time to gather himself before trying to score.
Malone and Ty Lue are underrated coaches. They know how to make great players mesh while taking into consideration their strengths and weaknesses. Joker and Russ have great hooper instincts. Russ in his older years is going to inspire younger guys to find good coaches and to allow them to coached by them.
Gordon the Mall finding good chemistry with Russ on the fast break can still be improved so they have even more ceiling
Russ also stopped taking long 2s when he is given space at the 3. now, if he gets the ball at the 3, he drives. unless it’s in the corner, then he shoots and makes 44%.
So happy to see him thriving. Dude got thrown under the bus so much in LA.
His improved finishing is huge. He used to blow so many layups going full speed.
I remember watching this man on okc pre AND post KD pull up transition, contested 3s when his act knows he can’t shoot. That LA stint humbled his ass into a better player/role even if it isn’t as glorious as the one he wanted before. Btw we can never question Westbrook passion and love for the game
To be fair to Westbrook, he was definitely a better shooter back then. Solid from mid range, 80% FT shooter and better from 3 than he is nowadays.
No team that I’ve watched gets this many easy 2s like the Nuggets since Golden State in their prime
I'm the biggest Westbrook hater; but he's playing some beautiful basketball and getting his team easy easy easy buckets. If he played like this his whole career he mightve been the best PG ever.
As a long standing Russ "hater" I'm so happy to see him finally just playing under control and being willing to move around off ball. He's always been an unreal talent and these adjustments to his game can truly make him a winning kinda player in the playoffs
I hated his stat padding period. I questioned his fit in the Nuggets coming in, but wasn't worried because his salary isn't heavy. His growing pains almost proved me right. I'm so glad he revived his game with Jokic. He even added corner threes to his tool kit. He's easily worth 20-25m per year now.
Murray is the 6th man now.
you are bad hater as he was 2nd best in wizards, and great player in clippers. Ppl are talking about clippers po, as something negative, but they had their best player injured. Kawhi cant stay healthy, and George had shoulder pains. By watching those po games, you see that russ does many things that cant be seen by watching highlights and stats. He was playing rebounds, great defence and creating space for shooters.
@@GamingSlothVideo you say that, but there were also multiple games where it was clear Russ couldn't be on the floor in the playoffs due to his defense, decision making and lack of shooting. He was great for them in the regular season but iffy in the playoffs. Granted iffy was an improvement
@@Ghostface2point0 Finally willing to move the ball around ? You don’t watch Westbrook lol.
@@ThanosDidTheRightThing "finally willing to MOVE AROUND *OFF BALL* "
Reading comprehension needs work
Brodie always had a higher IQ than LeQueen Blames. Period.
The truth is that Westbrook didn't learn this things in the past off season. He was already like this but wasn't in a team that could give him to support to play like this.
I see the coach and tm treating him with respect and when the nº 1 in the team, and in the league, treat you like Nikola does, you have to follow.
Westbrook is in the perfect environment to play at his full potential considering his age and experience.
Everyone slept on this guy and said his career was over. He has been a terrific player since he was drafted.
I’ve always been a fan of Russ. No idea why people don’t see how talented he has always been.
That was a damn good pass by Westbrook at 1:22. Then another dayum good pass at 1:27. Dayum Yoke. He's done improved Westbrook. He kicked it back out for 3. Dayum. It's like his reflexes got faster or his thought process.
THAT MAN NAME IS WESTBROOK 2:38
Now, I'm rooting for Denver to win it all.
Russ is a defensive guard in denver. Blocks and steal that need by nuggets
THANK YOU FOR THE FAIR OVERVIEW OF MY GUY 💪🏾💯
I like this.westbrook ,finally found his forma fk sucesssion
I'm glad Russ has found a new home, but wake me up when the games truly matter (the playoffs). I'm hoping this isn't another case of, "he trick y'all" because we've seen and heard Russ say and do all the right things after his tenure in OKC ended. It's HARD to teach an old dog new tricks, doubly so when the lights are brightest. Defensive intensity goes up in May, and the schemes get scheme-y for a reason. Only time will tell.
He is just need a right team
Although I do think Russ has improved, I think his better play is just actually having a good offensive system.
Aside for the clippers, which I personally think he played in first year and could’ve competed for a chip if healthy, he only struggled next season due to the lack of opportunities and less complex of a system, everyone always talks how iso heavy it is, just drive and kick out, that’s very easy to guard for elite teams.
This is the first time he actually had good shooters of the team and a good offensive system imo.
Yep by mid-way it is already looking like Denver's off-season pickup of Russ Westbrook was THE non-draft move of the off-season.
id love to see russ get most improved player award 😅 does he qualify?? being a former mvp/all star/future hall of famer and all already
Great breakdown as always! Speaks volumes of both Joker and Russ. Joker's skill and IQ was already undeniable, but being able to bring out the best out of everyone is truly what sets him apart. Different from the way that someone like a Harden or Lebron does it - not a knock on those types of players. But being able to dominate without really having insane usage is magical to watch. Modern, conventional wisdom would be to surround Jokic with 4 shooters, and yet Denver has been able to make this team work while having 2 non-shooters on the floor at the same time. That is a complement to how good both AG and Russ are at their roles, but also, that is on Jokic being so good at understanding how to maximise his teammates and his udnerstanding of how to use every inch of the court to manipulate defenses.
And of course, Russ deserves his props. Jokic is a big part of it, but it is always commendable for someone who used to be a ball-dominant superstar, finally adjusting his playstyle to fit the team. Again, it is always easier to do so when you are with a guy as great as Jokic, but that takes away nothing from Russ willingness to evolve even at this stage of his career. Maintaining the same aggressiveness, but this time through cuts and off-ball movement. This is the same reason why Wade will always be my favorite player - yes, he had the ball in his hands a ton, as he should. But something he was always good at even when he was younger, and all the more as he got older, was his ability, IQ, and knack, for cutting and finding open-space, off-ball.
Joker & Westbrook have become a leaguepass must in my house. So much fun to watch.
Jokic be like, finally real help
As a nuggets fan I told people that Russ would fit over here. He also looks a lot happier over here too!!!
yeah sick... hope they do well :)
It is going to be playoff time soon. I can't wait to watch Westbrick f*** it all up for the Nuggets. 🤣😂
Always been one of my favorite players, maybe it was the Lakers' fault but having him on the court hurt to watch...
Everybody keep trying to put their finger on the 'change' in Westbrook. It's the difference between playing with assholes he didn't like as opposed to playing with dudes he does like. It's the difference between playing together and playing alone...a growing trend in today's NBA.
without watching i would say he is doing like a draymond green typa role
Good for Russ. Sometimes atmosphere and finding a place where you truly fit the puzzle is the most important thing for success.
3:08 greatest move / pump fake of all time
GOAT basketball content
I love this I just wish it would've happened four years earlier
Plus westbrook stopped taking those atrocious midrange jumpers that worsened his efficiency. He adapted to the game where threes and layups are the bread and butter.
I really hope Russ wins a ring.
Westbrook is playing the Bruce Brown position that made him a multi millionaire because of Nikola Jokic!
Russ Been had high basketball IQ
you have to think how many players weren’t given a chance to shine because weren’t in the right team/system….
Westbrook iq is high too but sometimes his shooting cant cope up 😂
Russ is removing rust in him
Love me some denver vids 🤤
I just want to mention that this Russell Westbrook role has been seen before! On the 2020 Rockets, he was leveraged as a short roll passer, dunker spot roamer, and "release valve" as youput it. Granted, he was still trying to carry his own scoring burden so that makes it meaningfully different. But the skillset has been tapped into before by D'Antoni, so I'd say he saw the vision for him longterm when he's no longer the primary initiator. Took Russ a bit to come around to it though.
Westbrook being redeemed and contributing to winning basketball is honestly my favorite story from this season
Fans act like scenery of basketball dosent matter or the media presence. Westbrook went from the lakers where he was struggling at the end badly getting his named slander, goes right next door to the clippers where it’s a little better cause those fans aren’t harsh or media crazy like the lakers. Denver’s fan are amazing and very basketball loving no matter how their team does they support everyone. Maybe it’s the dynamic of the two different franchises but I’m glad to see Westbrook being himself again
Go Russ Go!!!
You're overthinking it! It's simple bro! for the first time in his career, Russ is surrounded by great players. Now he's playing in a system that suits him. Usually, he plays with another good player but on a bad team and fit
Lol lie. Search draymond green guarding westbrook. Youre on youtube.lol
@@xavierb9061 Huh 🤔, are you okay! What does Draymond Green have to do with anything!!!?
Don think he’s overthinking it, lol.
@@Nupeguy16 I’m sure you’re trying to make a point, but it’s flying over my head because I have no idea what you’re talking about
First time? Russ fans are delusional. Who’s played with more stars than Russ? Bron AD PG (2xtimes) Beal Harden (3xtimes) KD KP Melo Kawhi and now fricking. jokic
This is beautiful basketball
MVP version of Bruce Brown
For the jokalgorithm
Two triple double threats that Mesh is crazy
From Michelangelo now he is Leonardo
People stupid as hell. Why don’t every guard rebound play make and slash if it’s so easy to triple double stat pad 😂
Russ did everything for the damn lakers. He played the corner he played the dunker spot he play screen and roll man. He guarded the best player night in and night out. You can look up russ defense on lakers on YT and find 10 min videos of him locking down star players. You can look up russ assists and find 10 min videos of russ being a great playmaker for the lakers easy
Russ and jokic have very good zodiac harmony. They are both water signs (Pisces and Scorpio). They understand each other without having to explain themselves
ben Simmons would make nuggets finals tier
brother are you both giving him his flowers while teasing him calling him westbrick throughout the whole video 😂😂😂
Hi Daniel! Just wanted to remind you that coming up is Superbowl Li X! Hope you enjoy it!
As a long-time OKC fan, I cannot express how frustrating it is to see Russ making these changes so late in his career when we were all BEGGING him to change years ago
“Westbrook can’t shoot”
Since Denver I thought his percentages were 47 and 52 from 3…
Funny thing is, even Nuggets share their strats on their instagram knowing others can't replicate it lol
All ppl talk about is how good Jokic passing is , but ppl forgot he is a 30ppg player
Outstanding analysis. Westbrook has definitely found his role and the Nuggets are benefiting.
First of all he was a stat pattern, he did steal rebounds, he was the reason the Lakers were bad. Think about it. They went to the conference finals the same year. They traded him. Westbrook fans are trying to be slick by doing revisionist history about Westbrook's actual career. He was a low IQ player. He was selfish. He was difficult to play with and now he's playing beautiful. Now he's playing the beautiful basketball. Every Westbrook fan wanted him to play.
All it took for Westbrook to be effective was several years of being humbled before being paired with one of the best players of all time. He made it 🙏
Westbrook has great instinct.
So many haters (and fairweather Nuggets fans) were upset with him coming here. I said again and again "He knows the role, what we need from him, that's the Russ you're gonna see."
Welp, here we are ⚒️🏔️❤️
"westbrook can't shoot" is becoming more incorrect every day with his increasing shooting accuracy and ability to make the open 3s he gets
I’m waiting for that 50 points game to happen now, just like how drose did it back in Minnesota.
New and improved? It’s literally the same person in a different environment. Saying Russ was stat padding in okc just shows you don’t watch basketball or know what you’re talking about. Stevan adams, paul George, jerami grant, and others had career high rebounding years on those same okc teams. People are just haters