By Pierre-Andréa Fraile | Sports journalist
A Nuggets player for almost nine years, Jamal Murray welcomed a certain Russell Westbrook to the team last summer. Five months later, he focused on the singular and explosive personality of his backcourt partner.
In a market with less media exposure and in a more restricted role, he still manages to get people talking about him. Now 36 years old, Russell Westbrook remains at the heart of discussions in NBA via his performances with the Nuggets. This has been positive for several weeks, as was the case last Saturday. Single-handedly, he actually managed to unpin several Pistons executives:
Jamal Murray cashes on “big mouth” Russell Westbrook
Still as energetic and passionate for his 17th season in the league, Westbrook demonstrated that his enthusiasm remains intact against Detroit. A meeting during which Denver won (134-121), notably thanks to a great Jamal Murray. Author of 34 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 blocks, the Canadian guard nevertheless wanted to highlight Brodie in the post-match press conference:
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Jamal Murray : I think we all react differently when the pressure increases. You know, Russ, he’s a big mouth. He will always tell you what he thinks and everything he does, he does it with energy and desire. As far as I’m concerned, I react more discreetly with my game. The same for Jokic. Jok won’t say anything, but he will respond with his game if he gets pushed around more than he should.
We all react differently in this type of situation and through his reaction, Russ offered a boost of energy to the whole team. Everyone ganged up on him and played well after what happened then.
In his own way, Westbrook also contributed to his team’s victory and earned the praise of his teammate.
The latter could after all show himself indebted, he who indeed rode the positive wave created by Russ during the third quarter. Following the latter’s clashes with Cade Cunningham and Isaiah Stewart, Murray compiled no less than 15 points, 3 rebounds and 3 blocks in less than 14 minutes. Proof of the communicative aspect of the energy deployed by the 2017 MVP.
Even when he is somewhat discreet in scoring, Russell Westbrook proves capable of providing great service to his team. Instead, ask Jamal Murray, boosted by the paid trash-talking of his illustrious teammate towards the Pistons.
