Westbrook Finds New Beginnings with Denver Nuggets
Russell Westbrook, one of the most electrifying players in the NBA, has decided to embrace change with a shift to the Denver Nuggets. This upcoming season, fans will notice a significant alteration: Westbrook will not be wearing his iconic No. 0 jersey.
This move signifies only the second time in his professional career that Westbrook has switched to the No. 4 jersey. A number that holds special meaning to him, going back to his roots in high school. "Four is my favorite number. It reminds me and it gives me a sense of my roots and where I started from and where I get it from," Westbrook shared.
Westbrookâs transition to the Nuggets comes after a whirlwind series of events. Initially traded by the Los Angeles Clippers to the Utah Jazz, he reached an agreement on a buyout of his contract, enabling him to join the Nuggets as a free agent. This move marks a fresh chapter in Westbrook's storied career.
One might wonder why Westbrook, who has been synonymous with the No. 0 jersey throughout his career, chose to leave behind the number. Christian Braun, a promising player for the Nuggets, currently dons the No. 0 jersey. Addressing any potential speculation about switching numbers, Westbrook clarified, "Let's please leave our young star alone. CB and I never discussed him passing along the number 0. I did want to inquire about or request the number 0 because I chose to mark this new change with a 'new' number."
Westbrook's decision to revert to the No. 4 jersey feels like a homecoming of sorts. "Obviously I could have stayed with zero if I wanted to, but I just decided to [pick four]. It's kind of my first time in my career I can go back to my original number," Westbrook noted. His journey across various teams, including stints with the Oklahoma City Thunder, Houston Rockets, and Washington Wizards, had not afforded him the chance to wear the number dear to him due to its prior incumbents like Arron Afflalo, Nick Collison, and Danuel House.
In an act of camaraderie, rookie Hunter Tyson, who was wearing the No. 4 jersey for the Nuggets, agreed to switch to No. 5, paving the way for Westbrook to reclaim his preferred number. Tyson, a fresh face in the league, was a second-round pick in the 2023 NBA Draft and has appeared in 18 games, averaging under three minutes per game.
Westbrook's journey to this point has been nothing short of remarkable. His high school days saw him wearing No. 4, and through various circumstances, the number had eluded him throughout a significant part of his professional career. "When I got to Oklahoma, even at UCLA, I got there, Arron Afflalo had it at UCLA. Then I got to Oklahoma City, Nick Collison had it. Then when I got to Houston, Danuel House had it. So I didn't have an opportunity to kind of go back to my original number," Westbrook explained.
While Christian Braun might be forging his path with the No. 0 jersey, Westbrook's switch to No. 4 is a symbol of renewal and a nod to his beginnings. Braun also shares a connection to the number, having worn No. 0 during his high school career.
As Westbrook embarks on this new journey with the Denver Nuggets, fans eagerly anticipate how this change in jersey number will resonate on the court. While the number on his back may be different, Westbrook's relentless drive and competitive spirit remain unchanged.