Russell Westbrook's Statement After Denver Nuggets Practice Went Viral

Russell Westbrook met with the media on Saturday after practice.

Sep 26, 2024; Denver, Co, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Russell Westbrook (4) during Denver Nuggets Media Day. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images / Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

Russell Westbrook is one of the best point guards in NBA history.

The future Hall of Famer had a legendary 11-year run with the Oklahoma City Thunder and was still an All-Star caliber player during his quick stops with the Houston Rockets and Washington Wizards.

He most recently spent time with the Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Clippers over the previous three years.

While Westbrook still put up good numbers, the fit could have been better.

Jan 9, 2023; Denver, Colorado, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Russell Westbrook (0) reacts in the fourth quarter against the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images / Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

Westbrook is entering his first season with the Denver Nuggets.

On Saturday, the 2017 MVP was asked about his unique skill set and fit in Denver versus his tenures in Los Angeles.

His answer got a lot of attention on social media (via DNVR Sports, h/t Bennett Durando of The Denver Post and NBACentral).

Westbrook: "To be honest, it was unique. They just didn't put me in a position to make it unique. I was in a position where I was playing not my position. Being able to be here and coach Malone allowing me to be able to use my speed, use my transition skill to be able to make other guys better makes the game easy for everybody surrounding me and that's what I love to do best."

Russell Westbrook on his unique skill-set and fit in Denver vs. previous stops:

“To be honest, (my skill-set) was unique, they just didn’t put me in position to be unique. I was in a position where I was playing not my position.”

…

“Coach Malone allowing me to use my speed…” pic.twitter.com/jyiVM3yVlI

— DNVR Nuggets (@DNVR_Nuggets) September 28, 2024

Westbrook finished last season with averages of 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.

Russell Westbrook today, asked by @Tjonesonthenba about his skillset being more unique on Denver's roster than it was in LA, said: "To be honest, it was unique. They just didn't put me in a position to make it unique. I was in a position where I was playing not my position." pic.twitter.com/39LMmeNFBc

— Bennett Durando (@BennettDurando) September 28, 2024

The Nuggets will play the first game of their season on October 24 when they host the Oklahoma City Thunder in Denver.

“To be honest, (my skill-set) was unique, they just didn’t put me in position to be unique. I was in a position where I was playing not my position.”

- Russ on his previous teams

(🎥 @DNVR_Nuggets )

pic.twitter.com/bOmM4C4zsE

— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) September 28, 2024