Aaron Gordon returned to the field this Sunday after missing 9 games in a row. Used off the bench initially, the power forward should quickly find a place in the starting five… to the detriment of Russell Westbrook?
It’s time to make strong choices for Michael Malone. With the return of Aaron Gordon, the Nuggets coach has found an important member of the group. Limited in playing time and used with the bench against the Mavs this Sunday, Aaron Gordon should gain strength in the next matches and above all find a starting place alongside Nikola Jokic in the racket. Who says new holder to integrate means another holder to be relegated to the bench. But who?
Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray are obviously untouchable, it is also difficult to imagine Michael Porter Jr. coming off the bench. So there remain the two options Westbrook and Braun.
Russell Westbrook, a thunderous dynamic as a starter
If we take the composition of the Nuggets at the start of the season, the logic would be that Brodie returns to the bench to lead the replacements with Aaron Gordon who returns as power forward, Porter Jr. in 3 and Christian Braun in 2. Except that many Things have changed since the recovery. First used with the reserve, Westbrook took advantage of injuries to secure a starting place and the mayonnaise has taken very well for Denver.
Very close with Nikola Jokic, and in great shape in this new calendar year, Russell Westbrook shines brightly. Over the last four games, Westbrook has averaged 23 points, just under 8 assists and 9 rebounds, with over 50% shooting.
-We also see that the West Beast’s time with the incumbents has yielded concrete results this season. With Russell Westbrook as sixth man, Denver has a record of 10 wins for 11 losses. When Brodie starts on the other hand, this record increases to 13 victories for 4 defeats. A gap too big to be a simple coincidence.
Christian Braun, the choice by elimination?
If the graft with Westbrook is that good, then Christian Braun seems the ideal candidate to send to the bench for Malone. Holder all season, the one who combines university and NBA titles has shown definite progress. Sending him to the bench would be more of a necessary choice than a real downgrade, he who has rarely disappointed this year.
Michael Malone nevertheless has several strings to his bow and can gauge the form of his team according to his future choices. If Braun leaves with the second unit and the dynamic is disrupted, it will still be possible to put Westbrook with the replacements. However, it seems the right choice to make at the moment given the good results and the form of the Westbrook – Jokic duo.
