Vintage Russell Westbrook warns Clippers 7-footer before making him pay on the glass

Few players compare to Russell Westbrook regarding trash-talking and backing it up with their games on the court. On Wednesday, facing his former team, the LA Clippers, Westbrook turned back the clock and produced a vintage moment when he warned 7-foot center Ivica Zubac to box him out during a Nuggets free throw.

"You better box out, you better box out," Westbrook said.

However, Zubac didn't listen to his former pick-and-roll partner's advice. Westbrook didn't miss the opportunity to punish his counterpart and completed the putback layup after DeAndre Jordan's attempt bounced off the rim. He gave the Nuggets a 21-13 lead on that play with four minutes left.

That play sums up what Westbrook has brought to the table for the Nuggets. His hustle and hard-nosed playing style gives the team added toughness, which they lacked to a degree after Bruce Brown's departure in the 2023 offseason. Westbrook is one of their go-to perimeter defenders and among the most willing players to do the "dirty work," which is a key element to a team's success.

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Russell Westbrook has been dominant as a starter for Nuggets

Russell Westbrook has become an NBA journeyman since he left the OKC Thunder in the 2019 offseason. Since then, he's suited for five different teams. Now, with the Nuggets, Westbrook seems as comfortable as ever. He had to try a bunch of roles on the Lakers and Clippers, which saw him struggle heavily.

With the Nuggets, Westbrook has a consistent role and the chance to thrive with the ball. He looks equally comfortable playing with the second unit or the starters. However, his production is impressive when playing with the first five.

Westbrook has started 14 of his 35 games with Denver amid injuries to Jamal Murray and Aaron Gordon. He has averaged 13.9 points, 5.4 rebounds and 8.2 assists, shooting on 54/31/61 splits. On the season, Westbrook has averaged 12.4 ppg, 4.8 rpg and 6.6 apg on 46/33/64 splits.

The Nuggets are 10-4 when he starts and 10-11 when he comes off the bench. Amid Aaron Gordon's continued absence, Russell Westbrook started against the Clippers, too. It remains to be seen if Michael Malone keeps the potential first-ballot Hall of Fame guard in the starting five once Gordon returns.