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Russell Westbrook is heading to the Denver Nuggets, giving that team a nine-time All-Star and two-time scoring champion.
Westbrook has an impact on just about every team he plays for, but does he really fit with Denver’s current lineup?
Paul Pierce thinks so and believes that the addition of Westbrook opens up more possibilities for Denver’s Jamal Murray.
Speaking on “Undisputed,” per NBACentral, Pierce said that Murray should now become the team’s starting shooting guard while Westbrook should play the role of point guard.
Paul Pierce thinks Denver should start Russell Westbrook and move Jamal Murray to the shooting guard position
( @undisputed / h/t @ClutchPoints )
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) July 19, 2024
Murray has been Denver’s point guard for years now and has clearly done quite well in that position.
But he has the ability to be a shooting guard as well and this could help his game a lot.
According to Pierce, playing shooting guard will let Murray focus more on his natural ability to score.
He won’t have to emphasize play-making as much and Westbrook would be tasked with running plays and guiding the ball down the court.
Nikola Jokic would also help with that, of course.
Meanwhile, Murray would be able to set up his shots, find his spot on the court, and be an even more powerful offensive unit.
Is this the approach that head coach Michael Malone will take in the new season?
There have been questions about the acquisition of Westbrook.
Most notably, people have wondered if he will be a starter or a bench player.
Over the last several seasons, he has been in the starting five and a member of the second unit.
Pierce thinks that Westbrook works best as the team’s starting point guard and Denver would greatly benefit if they give him that task.
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