Nuggets stuck on Russell Westbrook roller coaster ride; for better or worse

You know that feeling when you get on an amusement park ride, the safety belt clicks, and as it starts moving, you experience that queasy feeling that there's no going back?

That's how I felt the moment it became evident David Adelman decided to close with Russell Westbrook in the fourth quarter of Game 1 versus the Los Angeles Clippers.

In a bonkers game that featured just about every clutch play, wild turnover, or boneheaded mistake you could imagine, Russell Westbrook stole the show and helped propel the Nuggets to a 112-110 comeback, overtime win.

The Nuggets came out of the gates with a lethargy that gave me flashbacks to the second half of Denver's Game 7 collapse last year against Minnesota. For the first quarter and a half, the Nuggets' pick and roll defense was getting carved up by James Harden and Ivica Zubac, and the Clippers built up a lead as big as 15 points midway through the second quarter.

Despite hitting a three on the first possession of the game, the ever streaky Michael Porter Jr. looked lifeless, and with 2:51 to go in the second quarter, Adelman rolled the dice and replaced Denver's best shooter with Westbrook. This decision doesn't come without consequences, considering that this is a Nuggets offense that is already struggling with spacing. But in a game that was physical, dirty, and played down in the mud, Adelman knew he needed two things to shift the tide: defense and a spark.

After the fiery 36-year-old Hall of Famer checked back into the game, the Nuggets closed the quarter on a 9-2 run to pull within four at the half. It was a brand new ballgame, and the run brought a once murmuring Ball Arena back to life.

After a back-and-forth third quarter, the table was set for an all-time classic finish that would also take years off Nuggets fans' lives.

Russell Westbrook's Wild Fourth Quarter

Having Westbrook on the floor to close a must-win playoff game is a cathartic experience. One minute, he makes an amazing play, and it feels like the game is finally in hand. But once you think the ride is over, you hit an unexpected drop and scream for your life. 

Exhibit A: With 3:41 remaining in the fourth quarter and the Nuggets down just one, Christian Braun launched a three to give Denver the lead. It was off left, but Westbrook was there to be Johnny on the spot, out-muscling Kawhi Leonard for the rebound and laying it in to give Denver the lead. After Denver got a stop on the other end, Westbrook leaked out for a fast break and attacked the rim in transition with no regard for the time, score, or situation.

Despite the only obstacle in his path being James Harden, who barely contested the shot due to foul trouble, Westbrook's wild finish didn't even hit the rim, and it set the Clippers up for a 5 on 4 advantage that resulted in free throws for the Clippers, who then retook the lead. Sigh.

Exhibit B: With 28 seconds to go, the Nuggets were down one.

In years past, Denver's late-game pick-and-roll pick and roll between Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray has repeatedly shown itself to be Mr. Reliable in the pressure cooker. Unfortunately, Westbrook's mere presence on the floor completely hinders Denver's biggest late-game weapon.

As Denver tried to set up their two best players to execute what they do best, the Clippers smartly sent Westbrook's defender to shade over on the aforementioned two-man game, essentially forcing the ball out of Jokic and Murray's hands. Jokic rocketed a pass over to Russ, who had more space around him than an open pasture. He took the shot, and while the ball went through the air, Nuggets fans felt their hearts stop momentarily. And Russ made the biggest shot of the season.

After James Harden tied the game up at 98 a piece, the Nuggets had the ball, and a timeout to draw up a play with 18 seconds left, which brings us to Exhibit C.

Denver set up a play to try to run the two-man game with Murray and Jokic, and once again, Westbrook's defender came over to double Jokic. Even though Westbrook had just made a clutch three moments prior, the Clippers were more than content to let him try it again. Take two went a little differently, and uh, well, this is what happened.

This end-of-game possession was unacceptable. If you have the best player in the world, with one possession to end the game, it CANNOT end with Russell Westbrook playing with the ball outside on the perimeter as the clock expires. If Jokic is on the court, you have to at least get a shot off.

Still, despite his blunder at the end of the fourth, Westbrook avoided a repeat of the Wolves game, and his clutch defense on James Harden saved the day at the end of OT. Exhibit D:

Russell Westbrook's game was a lot to process. On one hand, he was the heart of a defense that forced 20 Clippers turnovers, and his energy on both ends completely changed the complexion and momentum of this game.

But (And there is always a but with Westbrook). While Westbrook's clutch three, magnificent defense, and four key offensive rebounds helped Denver win the game, his terrible finishing, questionable decision making, inefficiency from the field, and extreme lack of self-awareness could very well lose the Nuggets the next close playoff game they play.

Will Russ continue closing games?

The Nuggets are going to need Westbrook's defense to win this series. They would not have won Game 1 without him disrupting a Clippers offense that was scoring down Denver's throats in the first quarter, with seemingly no resistance. 

As Westbrook said in the postgame presser, his job is to muck things up (His words were slightly different). While he did an amazing job mucking up the Clippers' offense, one could also argue that at times he did just as much damage to Denver's offense.

Without Westbrook, the Nuggets are thin on options who can provide the same spark and hustle that has defined the future Hall-of-Famer's storied career. Denver's problem is harnessing Westbrook's energy and defensive prowess without it hurting them on the offensive end of the floor. Unfortunately, as Adelman pointed out postgame, Westbrook (who ended up shooting 5-17 from the field) is who he is, and he's not changing.

Denver, at least in this series, is stuck on this crazy ride, and there is no going back. Welcome aboard the Russell Westbrook Roller Coaster.