Is Russell Westbrook the second-best player on the Nuggets?

[Im Still Ballin]

He's been quite good when paired with Jokic as a starter. Better than Jamal, that's for sure. His "conditional value" in this role perhaps exceeds the other players supporting Nikola. And when you consider salary he's possibly the most valuable player relative to his contract for this season.

Thoughts?

[imdaman99]

Not a chance. He's #5 possibly #6 behind Braun when they're all healthy. But playing with jokic unlocks everyone. Russ can excel on a team with shooting and people willing to play off ball. Harden or LeBron are/were too good to play off ball so they never learned how to.

[Im Still Ballin]

Stats as a starter:

- 16 games (12-4 W/L); 31.6 minutes per game
- 14.9 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 8.3 apg, 2.0 spg, 0.4 bpg, 3.3 topg
- 52.9% FG, 30.5% 3PT, 61.7% FT, 59.6% TS
- +6.1 per game (+98 plus-minus total)

Stats as a starter with Jokic playing:

- 14 games (11-3 W/L); 31.6 minutes per game
- 13.9 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 8.5 apg, 2.2 spg, 0.4 bpg, 3.0 topg
- 53.6% FG, 28.9% 3PT, 62.0% FT, 59.9% TS
- +6.4 per game (+90 plus-minus total)

[Neal Romer]

He's not the second best player in a vacuum but over the last 2-3 weeks hes been playing the second best after his horrendous start to the season. Altho Gordon has been out and he also has a very effective chemistry with Jokic, so it's hard to say whose is 'better.'

While it's not an impossibility that Westbrook continues to be an asset at playoff time, especially given the rhythm hes been developing lately in Denver... Id still take a wait and see approach on that. Recent history says it's anything but a lock.

[L.Kizzle]

If Westbrook was the focal point of a team TODAY, he would avg close to a triple double.

[Lakers Legend#32]

If so the Lakers don't have to worry about the Nuggets.

[Im Still Ballin]

If Westbrook was the focal point of a team TODAY, he would avg close to a triple double.

For sure. He just needs some shooters, cutters, guys that run the break, and most importantly a compatible pick-and-roll big. Probably could do Washington-esque numbers and have a team in the play-in with the right supporting cast.

[90sgoat]

Are people talking about Jokic's season? He is shooting 48% from 3 ... that's absolutely crazy.

Also 31/13/10, he is having a career year, which is basically a GOAT year.

If he can hit just .400 in the playoffs then they win the series against Minny last year.

[Full Court]

What's with the Murray hate? He's flawed sure, but no question he's the second most valuable Nugget. They need the nearly 20 points per game he puts up.

[Im Still Ballin]

Another great game tonight.

[highwhey]

Are people talking about Jokic's season? He is shooting 48% from 3 ... that's absolutely crazy.

Also 31/13/10, he is having a career year, which is basically a GOAT year.

If he can hit just .400 in the playoffs then they win the series against Minny last year.

if he played any semblance of half decent defense, they'd beat minny. instead he was grabbing his knees out of breathe on defense bc he wasn't athletic enough to keep up with them.

[j3lademaster]

What's with the Murray hate? He's flawed sure, but no question he's the second most valuable Nugget. They need the nearly 20 points per game he puts up.

Nuggets are 5-1 without him lol.

He was good once upon a time, but he's been ass the past two seasons.

[tpols]

Jokic IQ is literally bleeding over into Westbrook and it's amazing to see. When Westbrook won MVP and when the Thunder made the Finals in 2012 they were a dead last bottom ranked assist team.

Denver right now? Is averaging more dimes than the Show Time Lakers, Bird Celtics, and Curry Durant dynasty warriors. 32 per game by far #1 rank historically. That's nuts. Their chemistry is GOAT. If they had any semblance of a defense it would be a wrap.

[White Hammer]

Jokic IQ is literally bleeding over into Westbrook and it's amazing to see. When Westbrook won MVP and when the Thunder made the Finals in 2012 they were a dead last bottom ranked assist team.

Denver right now? Is averaging more dimes than the Show Time Lakers, Bird Celtics, and Curry Durant dynasty warriors. 32 per game by far #1 rank historically. That's nuts. Their chemistry is GOAT. If they had any semblance of a defense it would be a wrap.

It’s crazy the Nuggets have 3 players who are top 20 in the league in assists: Jokic is #2 with 9.8apg, Westbrook is #12 (6.8) and Murray #18 (6.0)

[iamgine]

I don't know about 2nd best player but I would say he's performing the 2nd best after Jokic. But they are all close. This is the Jokic show. None of the others really matters.

[1987_Lakers]

:lol

[BarberSchool]

MF’s were vastly delusional, after a stretch of games during injury, where Russ HAD TO TAKE SHOTS & HAD TO HANDLE THE BALL.

As usual. When it mattered, he airballed plenty of J’s, bricked way more, and made more stupid turnovers than anyone else.

[SouBeachTalents]

Westbrook's last 5 games

6 ppg on 8 shots & 35%TS, more turnovers than assists.

[AlternativeAcc.]

Westbrook's last 5 games

6 ppg on 8 shots & 35%TS, more turnovers than assists.

I warned people in the game thread before the series. He's genuinely an awful player. Cannot believe there are GMs still fooled by this guy.