Has Westbrook seriously underestimated the value of the Nuggets with a basic salary?

In a previous NBA Western Conference semi-finals, the Denver Nuggets defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder at home with a three-pointer of Aaron Gordon, achieving a good start in the series. After this game, the Nuggets also widened the total score of the series to 1-0, and they also regained the home advantage in this round of the series.

In this game, the Nuggets' substitute backcourt veteran Russell Westbrook is still worthy of recognition for his old club, the Thunder, and he still maintains his outstanding form in the playoffs so far. Westbrook played 30 minutes and 01 seconds in the game, made 7 of 13 shots, 1 of 5 shots from outside the three-point line, and 3 of 5 free throws. With stable efficiency, he scored 18 points, 2 rebounds and 2 assists, and had 3 turnovers and 5 fouls, with a plus-minus value of +4. Westbrook successfully played the role of the sixth man again. His offensive efficiency is quite good, his scoring ability is fully reflected, his success rate in breakthroughs is also very outstanding, and his finishing ability is also quite good. He also remained calm enough at the last moment and gave Gordon a final assist. In addition, Westbrook's performance on the defensive end is also remarkable, and he also maintained a positive defensive attitude. Westbrook played a key role in both offense and defense, and he also made considerable contributions to the team's victory.

In the NBA regular season this season, Westbrook made a total of 75 appearances in 82 games, averaging 27.9 minutes per game, averaging 13.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, 6.1 assists, 1.4 steals and 0.5 blocks, and 3.2 turnovers and 2.5 fouls. His shooting percentage was 44.9%, three-point shooting percentage was 32.3%, and free throw shooting percentage was 66.1%. In the playoffs, Westbrook made a total of 7 appearances in the first eight games, averaging 26.3 minutes per game, averaging 14.4 points, 4.4 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.1 steals, and 2.1 turnovers and 2.9 fouls. His shooting percentage was 45%, three-point shooting percentage was 38.9%, and his free throw shooting percentage was 68.2%.

Westbrook's performance in the regular season was not ideal. His scoring ability was not fully utilized. His offensive efficiency was also at a sloppy level, and his role on the court was relatively limited. However, in the playoffs, Westbrook's performance has undergone a complete change. Westbrook's scoring ability is fully reflected, and he can play a role in critical moments in many games. With Michael Porter Jr.'s performance fluctuations, Westbrook also took on more responsibilities. He also maintained sufficient competitiveness when the team's rotation lineup was insufficient and helped the team successfully advance to the second round of the playoffs. It seems that he can still show his value when facing the Thunder, the top team in the Western Conference in the regular season. As a basic salary player, it is worth it to be able to play such an important role in this intensity game.