Opinion Writers Specializing in Sports Matters
In the heat of the game, with Kendrick Lamar's beats echoing through the stadium, Kendrick, ahem, Russell Westbrook boosted the Nuggets' energy. Westbrook, my friends, wasn't exactly a hit with the Clippers. Not even close.
It was Jamal Murray who took center stage, bringing his A-game with a staggering 43 points - a performance last seen in Orlando in 2020. But the Nuggets scored a 131-115 victory not just due to Murray's spectacular performance, but because of Westbrook's dominance.
Amid stars shining like legends one moment and ordinary the next, Westbrook rose above it all. In the two home wins of the series, he was the deciding factor. He scored the final seven points in regulation in Game 1, and dropped 11 in the second quarter in Game 5.
The bench, comprising the whole team while Westbrook was resting, could only manage a measly 10 points in Games 3 and 4. It's safe to say that Nikola Jokic, the best player in the world, and Murray, the purring engine, need Westbrook to ignite the spark.
"Russell Westbrook is a stubborn force," interim coach David Adelman said. "He's out there rotating, being a free safety on defense. We all know we're going to need another game with that sixth man feeling. It really helps us."
Westbrook, similar to Space Mountain, incites excitement and fear among the fans. Inside the locker room, he's a soothing balm, a calming force. His confidence is infectious. When Westbrook has it, the crowd feeds off it, and the team follows suit.
His driving layup in the first quarter of Game 5 sparked something in the team. Suddenly, they were on fire. Westbrook made it clear that he wasn't shy about letting the Clippers know it.
The animosity between Westbrook and the Clippers, formed after his stint with the team last season, became palpable in Game 5. The game seemed less like a match and more like a grudge match, especially when Westbrook had to sit out Game 4 due to a foot injury.
Murray was impressive too, reminding us why he shines among the league's best shot makers. The harder things get, the better he deals with the pressure. Nothing comes easy to Westbrook. These two, it seems, have more in common than we thought.
Their relationship didn't start smoothly. Murray was still finding his footing, and was too deferential to the veteran. Westbrook was brought in to assist Murray, not replace him. But former coach Michael Malone leaned too heavily on the one-time MVP, giving him too much freedom. This led to divisiveness in the team, with some questioning the decision.
But now, post the coaching change and the fresh start of the playoffs, Murray and Westbrook are helping the Nuggets function as a cohesive unit. Murray has nothing but praise for Westbrook's contributions - his 3-pointers, his defense, and his energy.
However, Adelman has smoothly managed the volatile mix. Westbrook's fiery first half was a symbolic middle finger to the Clippers. But after his outburst, he began to falter, receiving a technical for his rant at Bogdan Bogdanovic.
But Adelman didn't play favorites. Despite Westbrook's struggles in the second half, he was replaced by Michael Porter Jr. - a strategic move aimed at ensuring the team's progress, not showing favoritism to any one player.
Westbrook will need to maintain his intensity for Game 6, the potential closeout game, where his energy might be more valuable than his offense. But he must keep his anger simmering, his frustration burning. When Westbrook is goading opponents, referees, and fans, we'll know the Nuggets are moving on to the next round.
"I remind myself every night to have fun," Westbrook said. "My fun may not look like everybody else's. It may not be with a smile. It may not be running around slapping hands. But in Year 17, I still have so much fun going out there against the best players in the world. I love this, the talking a little mess. I'm all for it."
- Westbrook's dominance was instrumental in the Nuggets' 131-115 victory, as he scored the final seven points in regulation in Game 1 and dropped 11 in the second quarter of Game 5.
- The bench, without Westbrook, could only manage a measly 10 points in Games 3 and 4, highlighting the need for his presence to ignite the team's spark.
- Adelman, the interim coach, recognizes Westbrook's value, stating that they'll need another game with that "sixth man feeling" from him.
- Westbrook's fiery first half in Game 5 was a symbolic gesture towards the Clippers, whose animosity with him stems from his previous stint with the team.
- In the potential closeout game of Game 6, Westbrook will need to maintain his intensity, channeling his energy rather than his offense, to potentially move the Nuggets on to the next round.
