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Russell Westbrook is undeniably one of the most polarizing players in the NBA. At his best, the Denver Nuggets star was an MVP caliber player who is a lock for the Hall of Fame. But at his worst, Westbrook is unrepentant chucker whose inefficient play led to former head coach Mike Malone getting fired.
While Westbrook and the Nuggets currently find themselves locked in a 2-2 series with the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference Semifinals, not everything is sunshine and rainbows between he and his Denver teammates.
ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne reports that at least one Nuggets player has had enough of Westbrook’s antics, calling him “immature” after a loss in the first round to the Los Angeles Clippers.
“Minutes after the Nuggets lost Game 2 of their first-round series against the Clippers, (Nuggets interim coach David) Adelman had a problem. While he’d been at the postgame lectern, there’d been a heated discussion between Westbrook and (Aaron) Gordon in the locker room,” Shelburne writes. “Gordonhad challenged Westbrook about his attitude. Outside the locker room, one player relayed why** Gordon might’ve done so. ‘He’s so immature,’ he said of Westbrook.”**
Russell Westbrook Is A Polarizing Figure Within The Denver Nuggets Locker Room
The report went on to praise the close-knit nature of the Nuggets locker room, stating that players are comfortable having difficult discussions with one another. But this is a theme for Westbrook. After a memorable career in Oklahoma City to start his career, he’s since worn out his welcome with both Los Angeles franchsies as well as the Houston Rockets and Washington Wizards.
“It’s crazy. [He’s] changed the entire vibe and spirit of our team,” one Nuggets player said, calling out Westbrook for his negative attitude after being subbed out of a round one game.
Denver could yet advance to the Western Conference Finals. The Nuggets could even win it all. But if they don’t, there’s not doubt that Westbrook will the one under the microscope when Denver’s season comes to a close.