Nuggets would be mess in playoffs without Russell Westbrook

OKLAHOMA CITY – To understand Russell Westbrook, you have to understand how West works.

It is 3½ hours before tip-off on Wednesday night, and Westbrook emerges from the visiting tunnel at Paycom Center. He is like a shark. No wasted movement.

He sets up on the left block and begins knee squats. At 36, his joints should require WD-40, but he moves like an athlete half his age.

The routine begins, and rarely, if ever, wavers. He shoots five 10-foot shots, three free throws, heads down to the block for five jumpers, then makes his way around the arc on 3-pointers. Engine revving, he takes entry passes against a defender down low, and goes through a variety of moves that have become his signature over a 17-year career.

The jab step. The elbow up into the grill. The burst to the basket with screams in the empty arena of “And 1!” The fall-away bank shot.

He finishes with another round of 3s, including a rainbow from out of bounds in the left corner. For the second straight game night, he sinks it, then races into the locker room like Road Runner being chased by Wile E. Coyote.

Westbrook is not a player. He is an experience. An amusement park ride that provides thrills, but can leave you nauseous.

In these playoffs, however, that has not been accurate. There has been nuance.

Yes, his unpredictability helped get Michael Malone fired. It was maddening.

But the idea that the Nuggets can upset the Thunder would be crazy talk without Westbrook. Against the league’s deepest team, Westbrook is akin to a judge, alone on the bench. Peyton Watson might get a block, and Julian Strawther might make a shot, but Westbrook is the only reserve who can be trusted.

And the more critical the moment, the angrier the opponent, the steadier his own game has become. Do you remember the last possession of Game 1?

Aaron Gordon made the shot. But Westbrook made the pass. There was no replay of the forgettable sequence against Minnesota on April 1. He resisted the temptation to drive into Chet Holmgren at the rim, to deploy airbags.

“I grabbed the rebound and Russ’ eyes got really big, so I think that means get him the ball,” recalled guard Christian Braun with a smirk.

Westbrook is a racecar. But at this stage of his career, he needs guardrails. Interim boss David Adelman gives him freedom, but has not been afraid to pull him if he gets loose with the ball.

And Westbrook has responded to the coaching. He has talked about the seismic leadership change as a galvanizing event for the team. It extended to Monday night as they faced a 14-point deficit early in the third quarter.

“We kept saying the whole time. Stay with it, a veteran group, guys have been here before. We executed down the stretch,” Westbrook said. “It’s very helpful when you know your brother has your back, regardless of what’s going on. We stay with it through all the ups and downs. And honestly, I think we can play a lot better, which I am happy about.”

When the series switches to Denver for Game 3, Westbrook’s importance will only grow in significance.

At Ball Arena, he touches the income of his talent. He delivers haymakers with attitude, practically sticking his chin out and saying, “I dare you to stop me!” He is averaging 16.5 points in four home playoff games, shooting 54% from the field and 45% from 3.

Westbrook can match the athleticism of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Lu Dort, Jalen Williams and Alex Caruso. He gives the Nuggets options with his ability to bring the ball up the court, preserving Jamal Murray’s legs for the fourth quarter. He can also win off the dribble, making offense happen while matching the physicality of playoff defense when the refs swallow their whistles.