Russell Westbrook took to Instagram to protect Nuggets third-year player Christian Braun from slander after a report came out saying Braun refused to give up the No. 0 to Westbrook.
“Let’s please leave our young star alone. CB and I never discussed him passing along the number 0. I didn’t want, inquire about, or request the number 0 because I chose to mark this new change with a “new” number. The excitement of the new season has already begun, and unfortunately, I know that means the offload of many false stories. Not today! CB and I are locked in and ready to get things rockin’ in the Mile High City!”
Westbrook is closely linked to the No. 0, having worn it for almost his entire career. The only team he didn’t wear No. 0 on was the Washington Wizards, out of deference to Wizards legend Gilbert Arenas. He also wore the No. 4 that season, which he’ll be donning once again on the Nuggets.
He averaged 11.1 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 4.5 assists on the Clippers last season. He’ll likely be the team’s sixth man, with the Nuggets moving out Reggie Jackson to open up their backup point guard spot for Westbrook. While he isn’t the same shooter Jackson was, Russ will bring a lot more energy, creativity, and production to the Nuggets off the bench.
Braun averaged 7.3 points and 3.7 rebounds last season in his sophomore year, playing a limited role on the roster as he developed his talents for another season. He’s expected to be thrust into a starting role in the 24-25 season as Kentavious Caldwell-Pope’s departure has left that spot open.
The Nuggets Hope To Avoid Regression
The Denver Nuggets have lost a lot of talent over the last few seasons, with championship-team members Bruce Brown, Jeff Green, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, and more leaving the team without adequate replacements. The Nuggets are trusting their young players and hoping they emerge as bonafide replacements.
If Braun manages to take a leap at the right moment, the Nuggets could find their championship core reinvigorated, with Braun’s bench spot being taken over by another young two-guard Julian Strawther. There’s a pronounced direction to replace outgoing veterans with young home-grown stars.
In the last season, the Nuggets saw the Thunder snatch the No. 1 seed from them, the Timberwolves eliminate them in the second round despite Denver being up 3-2 with home-court advantage, the Mavericks win the West, and the Celtics win the title. That’s a lot of teams passing them up in one season, so the Nuggets are returning with the fire to reclaim their lost glory.
Nikola Jokic is largely accepted as the best player in the world today, with next season being another crucial proving ground for the 29-year-old star. He won’t care about winning another MVP, but it’ll be hard to deny him a fourth honor in five years if he somehow leads the Nuggets to an improved regular season record despite KCP’s departure.
The team cannot avoid slipping further back, as the West is far too competitive for them to have that luxury. The responsibility of carrying them will once again fall on Jokic, something he’s proven he can easily do when required.
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