Jamal Murray praised Russell Westbrook's influence on the Denver Nuggets, saying he strengthens team spirit amid changing perceptions of Westbrook's style of play. Despite criticism of Westbrook's focus on individual stats rather than team contributions, his recent presence has been encouraging for the Nuggets. During this preseason, Westbrook, who joined the Nuggets after their championship win, showed promise with solid performances, including a notable game against the Boston Celtics.

Through the numbers

• Westbrook scored 12 points in 19 minutes and made three 3-pointers in the preseason.
• The Nuggets were eliminated in the second round of the playoffs last season, in part due to a lack of bench depth.

state of affairs

• The Nuggets are aiming to regain elite status after their championship win 16 months ago.
• Westbrook will be expected to provide energy and pace off the bench to enhance the team's performance.

What's next?

As the regular season approaches, the Nuggets will look to integrate Westbrook effectively while addressing their depth issues and aiming for a stronger playoff run this year.

Conclusion

Westbrook's presence is critical for the Nuggets as they look to balance individual talent with a cohesive team dynamic in pursuit of a successful season.