Two anonymous NBA staffers split on Nuggets starting five

While the Denver Nuggets have straightened themselves out as a team in February, some around the NBA still question who should be in the team’s starting five.

In ESPN’s NBA Insiders story on Monday, which anonymously asked 10 questions to people working in the league, the inquiry of Russell Westbrook or Christian Braun was brought up. Michael Malone has mostly avoided answering this question recently as Thursday’s game against Charlotte was the first time the two guards were healthy while Aaron Gordon was healthy enough to start. And still, Westbrook is just coming off an injury so there may be some trepidation, despite what the team says, with restrictions. There was a brief two-game stint where Braun was moved to the bench right before Westbrook went down hurt. Before that, both Braun and Westbrook were starting together while Gordon was out and then worked his way back to 100%.

Coming out of the All-Star Break the Nuggets are back to the starting five they had at the beginning of the season with Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. joined by Gordon and Braun. But one NBA voice doesn’t like this alignment.

“I’d keep Russ starting.” a West executive told ESPN. “You can’t afford to lose him, and you might if you don’t. He’s been a big part of them with his buy-in, and you can spin it to Christian differently. I think the collateral damage of one to the bench is much more significant than the other.”

That’s an interesting take given Westbrook was almost always a starter in cases where he was filling in for somebody injured. He signed in Denver to be a backup and knew what he was getting into. Whereas Braun earned the role in the departure of Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and has thrived in it. Punishing a big part of Denver’s future because a former MVP’s ego couldn’t handle where he’s located for the first four minutes of an NBA game seems like the wrong approach.

Yet there’s some truth to it because Westbrook has struggled to adapt to being a role player in the past and it’s part of the reason Denver is his sixth team in seven seasons. He’s already started more this year than he did in either of the past two seasons, hinting at his importance to the Nuggets and how they can’t afford to lose his presence. However, it seems completely out of the norm for the Nuggets to base a decision like this on ego when Jokic himself famously offered to play different positions or come off the bench to appease Jusuf Nurkic. And even this year, Gordon has offered to come off the bench. Because the Nuggets through Malone’s time have been characterized by unselfish players, so a selfish player holding Denver hostage to a decision seems out of whack.

Though the numbers favor Braun’s contributions, some favor Westbrook’s value. The Nuggets are 35-19 when Braun starts and 19-8 when Westbrook gets the nod, there is some overlap in those marks. Braun is scoring more points per game at 14.8 to Westbrook’s 13 but is playing six minutes more. Westbrook has him tied in rebounding per night and easily beats him with 6.3 assists per contest to just 2.2. Braun’s calling card coming into the season was defense but that has slipped as his best asset is now transition scoring, where he leads the NBA there while Westbrook’s defense has been comparable. Braun has Westbrook beat in shooting, with the former Jayhawk at a 65.6% True Shooting clip and the former Bruin at 55%.

“He’s quietly been one of the best role players in the league this season,” an East scout said to ESPN about Braun.