The Denver Nuggets are riding high after their first-ever NBA Championship in 2023, and they are heading into the 2024-25 season with renewed hopes and challenges. The Nuggets’ success has been built on a core of unselfish play, led by two-time MVP Nikola Jokić, supported by dynamic players like Jamal Murray and Aaron Gordon. However, as they push forward, the story of another NBA great—Russell Westbrook—serves as both an inspiration and a cautionary tale for players striving for long-term greatness.
Before things took a difficult turn for Russell Westbrook, NBA legend Oscar Robertson foresaw the challenges the star guard would face. In an appearance on the “All the Smoke” podcast with Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson, Robertson spoke about his feelings toward Westbrook’s rise to superstardom and the eventual backlash that came from fans. Robertson, himself a 12-time NBA All-Star and former MVP, was the first player in NBA history to average a triple-double for a season. His achievement in 1962 set a standard that no player matched until Westbrook did it in 2017—and then went on to achieve it four times in total.
Oscar Robertson recognized Westbrook’s talent and drive early on, even flying out to see him in Oklahoma when he first accomplished the feat. Robertson recalled, “I told him, ‘I’m happy for you but they’re gonna turn on you.’ They’re gonna expect you to do this every night.” And Robertson’s warning proved prescient. Despite Westbrook’s historic achievements, including winning MVP, the Oklahoma City Thunder eventually moved on from him, and fan expectations shifted. This change marked the beginning of Westbrook’s tumultuous journey across multiple teams, as he struggled to meet the near-impossible expectations of maintaining triple-double performances every game.
This story highlights a harsh reality of professional sports—fans and franchises often have short memories. No matter how great a player’s past achievements, future performance becomes the primary metric by which they are judged. The pressure to repeat extraordinary feats can turn support into criticism, a lesson that even the Nuggets, now champions, must heed.
While Westbrook’s tale is a cautionary one, the Denver Nuggets represent the other side of the coin—a team built for sustainable success. The Nuggets’ 2023 NBA Championship came after years of patient development and smart roster management by general manager Calvin Booth. The team’s approach contrasts sharply with the boom-or-bust style often seen in the NBA. Rather than relying on superstar acquisitions, Denver’s core has grown organically through the draft and smart trades, with players like Nikola Jokić, Jamal Murray, and Aaron Gordon emerging as key contributors.
Jokić, a two-time MVP, has redefined the center position in the modern NBA. His ability to pass, score, and run the offense through his vision and basketball IQ has made the Nuggets a model for team-first basketball. The team’s championship victory was a validation of this philosophy, proving that a balanced, well-rounded approach can lead to success in a league often dominated by superstar-driven teams.
However, just like Westbrook in Oklahoma City, the Nuggets now face the burden of expectation. With a championship under their belt, the question is no longer whether they can win, but whether they can sustain that success. Players like Jokić and Murray are now held to even higher standards, much like Westbrook was after his MVP season. As Robertson warned, fans and media can turn on even the most beloved players when expectations are not consistently met.
For Denver, the key to avoiding the pitfalls faced by Westbrook and other stars lies in their team-first approach. Jokić’s unselfish play sets the tone for the entire roster, allowing players like Jamal Murray, Aaron Gordon, and Michael Porter Jr. to thrive in their roles without the pressure of having to single-handedly carry the team. This balance will be crucial as they move into the new season, where they’ll be the team every opponent wants to dethrone.
But the story of Westbrook and Robertson serves as a reminder that success in the NBA is fleeting, and staying at the top requires more than just talent. It requires managing expectations, both internally and externally. As the Nuggets aim to defend their title, they will need to balance the demands of fans, media, and their own ambitions, much like Westbrook did during his time in Oklahoma City. The Nuggets’ ability to stay grounded and focused on their collective goals will determine how long their window of success remains open.
The Denver Nuggets, with their 2023 championship, have cemented themselves as one of the NBA’s elite teams. However, as they head into the 2024-25 season, they will face new pressures and expectations, just as Westbrook did after his historic run in Oklahoma City. The cautionary tale of Russell Westbrook, as foreseen by Oscar Robertson, is a reminder that while greatness can be achieved, sustaining it is an entirely different challenge. For the Nuggets, the future is bright, but how they navigate the pressures of success will define their legacy for years to come.
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