DENVER -- Russell Westbrook turns 36 in November. He's already tipped off 16 NBA campaigns. On Thursday, he sat in front of media on the Denver Nuggets' practice court atop Ball Arena and spoke in a different tone than fans who've only seen his more memeable quotes probably expected.
For most of the last decade and a half, the nine-time All-Star has been on the game's highest-volume scorers and playmakers. He's often been a little spicy with reporters. But in his public introduction as a Nugget, he was deferential, almost overly so.
All three of head coach Michael Malone, general manager Calvin Booth and Russ himself were asked what his on-court role might look like alongside three-time MVP Nikola Jokić and all three talked more about intangible impact. "Russ was in the gym, and there was just a different energy," Malone said. "Can't really explain it, but I love that he's here.
" Booth said: "I think he's gonna push a lot of guys around here." And Westbrook, when asked directly what he'll do on the court and during games, talked more about leadership than anything else. "Just compete, play hard," he said when asked about what kind of role he envisions for himself.
"Lead. Leadership is probably the one I really enjoy doing most, on and off the floor. Leadership is something that can transcend.
.. On the floor, that's something I will lean into more.
" The natural question that follows is: What does that mean for a team that includes Jokić (who Westbrook described as the "bes.