Russell Westbrook's Move to Denver Nuggets: A New Chapter with an Old Number
Russell Westbrook is gearing up for his debut with the Denver Nuggets, but fans won’t see him in his iconic No. 0 jersey. Instead, they’ll witness a return to his roots as he dons the No. 4 jersey, a number laden with personal significance and history.
This change marks the second time in his professional career that Westbrook has switched to No. 4, a number he wore during his high school years. The decision comes after a series of jersey conundrums throughout his career. At UCLA, Arron Afflalo wore No. 4, and Nick Collison had the number when Westbrook landed with the Oklahoma City Thunder. Danuel House claimed it when Westbrook joined the Houston Rockets, thus limiting his chances to sport his favored digit.
"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.
Westbrook’s trade journey is as notable as his jersey changes. Traded by the Los Angeles Clippers to the Utah Jazz, he eventually joined the Nuggets after a buyout facilitated his entry into free agency. Now, he’s set to play for a team that already has another player associated with the No. 0 jersey—Christian Braun, a rising star who also wore No. 0 during his high school years.
Addressing the potential for any locker room tensions, 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."
As Westbrook prepares for this new chapter, rookie Hunter Tyson plays a significant role in the number reshuffle. Tyson, a second-round pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, initially held the No. 4 jersey. With Tyson having played in just 18 games for the Nuggets, averaging under three minutes per game, he agreed to switch to No. 5 to make way for Westbrook.
"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 expressed, underscoring his emotional connection to the number.
Despite the potential for weariness with numerical transitions, Westbrook seems energized and clear-headed about the switch. "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," he noted.
The Denver Nuggets' roster reveal thus delineates a clearer picture of jersey assignments for the upcoming season. Christian Braun retains the No. 0 jersey, while Westbrook embraces a symbol of his formative years with the No. 4. As the Nuggets gear up for what promises to be an exhilarating season, fans are eager to see how Westbrook’s nostalgic choice translates on the hardwood.
With the convergence of new beginnings and historical reverberations, Russell Westbrook's journey with the Denver Nuggets takes on layers of meaning that transcend mere numbers. The No. 4 for Westbrook is more than just a jersey—it’s a talisman of his early days and a fresh canvas for new achievements.