Many NBA pundits were celebrating the return of former Los Angeles Lakers point guard Russell Westbrook this season. It was pointed out as an accomplishment for Nikola Jokić to do what LeBron James and the Lakers simply couldn't. There is no denying Westbrook's impact in the series against the Clippers or the solid moments off the bench in the regular season. However, all good things must come to an end, and with Westbrook, that is often going to be sooner rather than later.
Laker fans can't help but painfully chuckle watching the final three games of Denver's season. It is simply too frustratingly relatable how the season ended for the Nuggets. Westbrook was a deciding factor in the team's inability to seize control of Game 5 or to have any hope of winning the final game of the series.
Russell Westbrook Cost the Denver Nuggets Any Hope of Making the Western Conference Finals
The kamikaze act that defined the early part of Westbrook's career continues to make him a liability as the star ages. Whether it is an awful pass to absolutely nowhere or running towards the bucket to set up a fast break for the wrong team, Westbrook is going to cost your team at the worst possible times.
It is another example of just how doomed the Lakers were to believe a big three of LeBron, Anthony Davis, and Westbrook was a good idea. Los Angeles being willing to spend so heavily on the point guard set the franchise back and cost them any chance of taking full advantage of the LeBron era. While the team did win a championship, it is easy to argue it would have been more than one if not for the addition of Westbrook.
For the Nuggets, this is a fitting ending for any team that willingly signs up for the point guard to play a pivotal role. With the team having highly paid starters, Westbrook was expected to be the all-important sixth man and vital energy off the bench.
The Nuggets chose to play an unwise game, one that found an always predictable ending. For the Lakers, it simply serves as a reminder of how poorly run their front office has been prior to the miracle of landing Luka. No question, this was always the way things were going to end for the Nuggets, and any team that has had the frustration of Westbrook knew it.