Don't be fooled by offseason videos, Russ and the Nuggets need to avoid 1 key thing

One thing that happens every offseason around the NBA is hype around highlight videos that emerge on the internet and social media. We’ve all seen the hubbub and fanfare about workout videos, seeing players who are “in the lab” and working on new skills. 

We’ve all seen the highlights of Ben Simmons getting up jumpers, Giannis working on three-point shots, and all kinds of other things that will never come to fruition in actual NBA games.

Russell Westbrook in the gym working on his jump shot

The latest offseason workout video to hit the timeline relates to the Nuggets and it was a video of the newest Nugget, Russell Westbrook working on his jump shot. The idea that Westbrook is working on his jumper is obviously good; he’s a point guard and shooting is a pretty important element of the position.

But at this point, I’m not buying it. Everybody knows what Russ is and isn’t. He has his skills and strengths, but he also has notable weaknesses and one of them is his shot and his shot selection. Westbrook is one of the worst volume shooters in NBA history.

The Nuggets need to limit Westbrook's shooting

The jury is out at this point, everyone has seen the scouting report, and teams are more than happy to leave Russ open and let him fire up shots and live with the result. This cannot be a trap the Nuggets fall into this season.

The team needs to be extremely intentional and purposeful about what they are doing on offense. They need to put Westbrook in positions to succeed and to maximize his skill set. He can pressure the rim, set up teammates, get to the free throw line, rebound, and push the ball in transition. 

He is arguably elite at all of those parts of the game. But his shooting is a disaster and he is highly capable of shooting his team right out of a game. Regardless of how many shots he makes in an open gym workout, I don’t want him firing up any threes for the Nuggets.

Sure, there will be catch-and-shoot opportunities in the corner that are wide open and there will be times when he has to shoot at the end of the shot clock. Clearly, these things happen, especially for a player who will frequently have the ball in his hands.

But these shots must be exceptions to the rule and the team needs to be sure to de-emphasize his shooting. There are plenty of scenarios where the Russ addition goes well for the Nuggets, but if he falls in love with his shot and the team allows him to keep firing them up, this will end in a disaster.