"Found a team that respects him": Kobe Bryant's $13,000,000 ex-teammate makes feelings known on Russell Westbrook after historic outing 

Former Kobe Bryant's teammate Matt Barnes summed up why Russell Westbrook is thriving on the Denver Nuggets. After tumultuous stints with the LA Lakers and LA Clippers, the veteran point guard found his way to Colorado, where he's teaming up with Nikola Jokic, another triple-double machine.

Their partnership has paid off for the Nuggets, as they became the second duo to each post a 25-point triple-double in the same game in NBA history. Coincidentally, Jokic had achieved this feat in 2023 alongside another star point guard, Jamal Murray.

Upon learning about this impressive achievement, the retired $13 million Matt Barnes commented underneath the ESPN post to praise the Nuggets for letting Russell Westbrook be himself.

"Glad he found a team & organization that respects him!!" the 2017 NBA champion wrote.

Matt Barnes lauded the Nuggets' organization

The Denver Nuggets hosted the Brooklyn Nets Friday night, easily winning the game 124-105. Nikola Jokic went off with 35 points, 12 rebounds, 15 assists and four steals, going 14-from-21 from the field and 6-from-8 from the free-throw line in 38 minutes of action.

Westbrook played 36 minutes, adding 25 points with 11 rebounds, 10 assists, one steal and one block, making eight of 17 field-goal attempts and seven of nine free throw attempts.

The Nuggets improved to 22-15 with this result and now sit fourth alone in the Western Conference standings, only behind the OKC Thunder (31-6), Houston Rockets (25-12) and Memphis Grizzlies (24-14).

Russell Westbrook had similar message to Matt Barnes when talking about his level with Nuggets

Once the game was over, Russell Westbrook credited coach Michael Malone as the catalyst for his impressive performances with the Nuggets. The 2017 NBA MVP said that having the freedom to play his game has impacted everything around the team.

“Being able to do that allows me to be able to make guys around me better,” Westbrook said Friday, per AP. “Try to bring this team some leadership, some energy, some toughness. We’re just getting started on figuring it out.”

He started the season off the bench, but after becoming a starter nine games ago, the Nuggets have posted a 7-2 record. Westbrook is averaging 15.4 points, 8.2 assists, and 7.4 rebounds, recording three triple-doubles in the process.

For the season, he's averaging 12.9 ppg, 5.0 rpg and 6.8 apg while shooting 45.9% from the field.