Nuggets need to embrace Westbrook’s “Agent of Chaos” nature to hit their ceiling

After initially signing Russell Westbrook to a veteran minimum contract during the offseason, the Denver Nuggets knew that there would be some insane highs and some head-scratching lows that come with rostering the former MVP. At times, he has looked like the 2nd best Nugget on the floor, and at other times, he has looked borderline-unplayable, but he is crucial to the team.

On Saturday night against the Los Angeles Clippers, Russell Westbrook had an incredibly loud game, both positively and negatively, but it worked out in the end as the Nuggets won the game 112-110 in overtime. Following game 1, Westbrook was interviewed in the locker room and had a pretty hilarious response to his role with Denver, saying that his job is to “f**k sh** up”:

Westbrook played the most minutes of Nuggets' bench players and even closed over Michael Porter Jr., who struggled. Denver employed a 7.5-man rotation with Westbrook and Watson playing off the bench and 2nd-year PG, Jalen Pickett, seeing a mere 5 minutes. Russ clearly made mistakes, but also hit a monstrous corner three in the game, several huge layups, and forced a game-sealing turnover.

This begs the question, at this point, is Russ’ “Agent of Chaos” persona actually perfect?

Denver must ignore floor and embrace anything that helps hit ceiling

As shown by the up-and-down season, leading to the firing of their former head coach, Michael Malone, and general manager Calvin Booth, the Nuggets are a flawed team. Their top-end talent and potential allow them to play with anyone, but their floor is also incredibly low. With the Clippers being a tough matchup and the OKC Thunder looming, the ceiling is what matters.

Believe it or not, Westbrook is what allows them to reach their ceiling, even if he adds a strong stench of unpredictability and, at times, horrible basketball IQ. Denver is going to have to live with the bad plays and stretches and “let Russ be Russ”, because frankly, they have no other options. The former MVP is one of the team's better defenders and plays harder than anyone.

Then, if the Nuggets scrape past the LA Clippers, they are slated to meet with a historically great Oklahoma City team, featuring the NBA MVP in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, two strong defensive bigs, a slew of good defensive guards/wings, and incredible depth. The task is incredibly daunting, especially considering that they just obliterated the Memphis Grizzlies 131-80.

More likely than not, Denver will see their playoff run end in the 2nd round yet again, but if the team has any chance at all, it will be in part thanks to the “Agent of Chaos” himself, Russell Westbrook, turning back the clock and being elite when the Nuggets need him most.