Russell
After the Denver Nuggets secured a 116-110 win over the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday, Russell Westbrook addressed the criticism surrounding the team’s disappointing 5-9 record in nationally televised games this season. Denver has earned a reputation for faltering on national broadcasts, a trend that has raised concerns among fans and analysts alike.
Westbrook, who has been a key contributor off the bench for the Nuggets, acknowledged the scrutiny the team has faced. “Obviously some people only watch the (national) TV games, so they watched the Boston game, and everybody has a comment,” Westbrook said, via ClutchPoints.
The Nuggets’ struggles on national TV have drawn extra attention, especially after their recent loss to the Los Angeles Lakers. “But throughout the year, consistently, I didn’t hear any of this talk before. Now all of a sudden it’s like, oh, we lose to the Lakers… everybody’s losing their mind,” he added.
The 36-year-old former MVP emphasized the team’s internal perspective, stressing that they don’t get caught up in external pressure. “Internally, we don’t panic,” Westbrook explained. “Play the right way… Get stops. Run in transition.” He pointed to Denver’s strength in transition play, asserting, “Because we’re the best transition team in the league. So when we get stops, you can’t load up (on Jokic) then. So our defense has gotta help our offense.”
Westbrook’s leadership has been crucial for Denver this season. Averaging 12.9 points, 5 rebounds, and 6.1 assists in 27.6 minutes per game, he continues to play a pivotal role off the bench. Despite the concerns about their national TV performance, the Nuggets are still one of the top teams in the Western Conference, currently sitting at 40-22, third overall.
While their 5-9 record in nationally televised games has been a point of contention, Denver’s overall performance cannot be overlooked. The Nuggets’ recent victory over the Kings helped them maintain a solid position in the standings, staying in third place in the West. “We’re not concerned about the outside noise,” Westbrook said, reinforcing the team’s commitment to the long game.
