Russell Westbrook Makes Very Honest Nikola Jokic Statement

Russell Westbrook spoke about Nikola Jokic before his first game with the Nuggets.

Ben Stinar | 13 Hours Ago

Jun 12, 2023; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) celebrates with fans after winning the 2023 NBA Finals against the Miami Heat at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images / Kyle Terada-Imagn Images

On Thursday evening, the Denver Nuggets will open up the regular season when they host the Oklahoma City Thunder in Colorado.

Russell Westbrook is going into his first year as a member of the team, and he is expected to be a tremendous addition off the bench.

Before the game, the 2017 MVP made a very genuine statement about his new teammate (Nikola Jokic).

Westbrook (via AltitudeTV) on the best thing about Jokic: "Just unselfishness. I think that's a trait that I think a lot of people may know, but being able to see it daily. It's great just for the best player in the world to be like that. Everybody else has no choice but to get in line."

Westbrook spoke to media today after practice and was asked what the best thing about Jokić was. #MileHighBasketball pic.twitter.com/sGYwRZztuP
— AltitudeTV (@AltitudeTV) October 23, 2024

Westbrook was once among the best point guards in the NBA, but he is still a capable role player at this stage of his career.

Last year, the nine-time NBA All-Star averaged 11.1 points, 5.0 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 1.1 steals per contest while shooting 45.4% from the field and 27.3% from the three-point range in 68 games for the Los Angeles Clippers.

The Nuggets will be his seventh team, as Westbrook has also spent time with the Thunder, Lakers, Clippers, Rockets and Wizards.

Oct 17, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Russell Westbrook (4) works past Minnesota Timberwolves guard Jaylen Clark (22) in the first quarter at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-Imagn Images / Bruce Kluckhohn-Imagn Images

The Nuggets are coming off a season where they lost to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the second round of the NBA playoffs.

Jokic (who won his third MVP) averaged 26.4 points, 12.4 rebounds, 9.0 assists and 1.4 steals per contest while shooting 58.3% from the field and 35.9% from the three-point range in 79 games.

Russell Westbrook was asked to name one of the best things about Nikola Jokic:

“His selflessness… It’s great being able to see that daily. When the best player in the world is like that everybody else don’t got no choice but to get in line…” pic.twitter.com/6twB0uE8jG
— Beastbrook (@Beastbr00k0) October 24, 2024