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Russell Westbrook · Smiling from ear-to-ear as he considered the sounds and sights of a standing ovation during his Denver Nuggets debut, Russell Westbrook made certain that it wasn’t the last time Ball Arena rose to its feet on October 24, 2024. Racing back in defensive transition with his scope solely on the Oklahoma City Thunder’s superstar guard — a crown and label he once wore — Westbrook hustles into the frame at arguably the last possible second. Offered an additional fraction of bought time after his teammate prompts Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to subtly adjust mid-gather, Westbrook takes full advantage, skying in to send the layup attempt into Row A through an emphatic rejection. Author of a quietly-impressive collection of chasedown blocks throughout his Hall of Fame-bound career, Westbrook used similar hustle plays to keep Denver within striking distance on the scoreboard, even in defeat. Westbrook, fittingly, had a hand everywhere on the box score’s ledger, depositing six points, five rebounds, five assists, one steal, two blocks, and one 3-pointer across 21 minutes during Chapter One of his Mile High saga. · State of Mint