Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone had some high praise for free-agent signing Russell Westbrook, referencing his underappreciated defensive play for the Los Angeles Clippers last season.
"When people talk about Russell Westbrook, no one really mentions defense ... End of games, he was on the opposing team's best player every night," Malone told reporters Thursday during the Nuggets' media day, per ClutchPoints.
Malone added: "So you have a guy that you can close games with in Russell Westbrook, who knows the league, knows personnel. Has the respect of the officials and has a competitive, 'I'm gonna get in your shit' mindset that I love."
While Westbrook has never made an NBA All-Defensive team, he sits third among active players with 1849 career steals and 19th on the NBA's all-time leaderboard. The nine-time All-Star has finished in the top 20 for defensive win shares on six different occasions.
Westbrook averaged 1.1 steals and ranked sixth in steal percentage (2.4%) last season. The former MVP also finished tied for eighth with 1.3 loose balls recovered per 36 minutes. His 0.7% block percentage ranked in the 74th percentile among point guards, per Cleaning the Glass. With Westbrook on the floor, the Clippers surrendered 1.1 fewer points per 100 possessions.
Veteran big man DeAndre Jordan is equally excited to have Westbrook aboard and said the two-time scoring champ brings a lot to the table.
"Russ is obviously a great player. His game and track record speaks for itself," Jordan told reporters. "I just felt like with a guy like Russ - his intensity, his demeanor - what he brings to the basketball floor on both ends of the court.
"I thought that he could definitely help us ... Russ brings a different culture and a different mindset to a team. A different energy."
