Russell Westbrook’s superstar treatment costing Michael Malone his job has fans livid: “Old Westbrook ruins every dynasty”

Former head coach Michael Malone had steadily increased Russell Westbrook's role on the Denver Nuggets over time.

Russell Westbrook’s superstar treatment costing Michael Malone his job has fans livid: “Old Westbrook ruins every dynasty”

Former Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone and Russell Westbrook

Nikola Jokic and the core Denver Nuggets players have only heard Michael Malone‘s voice throughout their careers. They might find it hard now to listen to a different voice. But most of the old squad is no longer there and a veteran like Russell Westbrook can help his teammates embrace the change.

This is Russell Westbrook‘s seventeenth season in the NBA. In that time, he has played basketball under several head coaches. Considering that his trips have been to title contending teams, he has learnt from some of the best in the business.

Under Michael Malone, he thrived and continued to revive a career that was questionable a few seasons ago. For much of this season, Westbrook played a major role in their wins. But off late, that has changed, and his play has been erratic at best.

GM Calvin Booth wanted Malone to give more minutes to Jalen Pickett, who was a calming presence on the court. But the now former head coach decided to stick with Westbrook, and his handling of the former league MVP is touted as on the reasons for his exit.

Malone’s choice to continue supporting Westbrook, despite the frustration he was causing on and off the floor, led to a loss of credibility among the team’s key players. It was one thing when Malone handled Jokić and Murray with more leniency than the rest of their group, but affording Westbrook that sort of treatment, even with his Hall of Fame credentials, wasn’t received well by some.

The Athletic reported

The Athletic added that Michael Malone did not reprimand Russell Westbrook for his erratic play. Teammates were particularly frustrated after his costly mistakes ruined Nikola Jokic‘s 61-point triple double night against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Fans tear into Russell Westbrook for costing Michael Malone his job

Basketball fans watching the Denver Nuggets situation thought Nikola Jokic had a hand in Michael Malone’s dismissal. But he cleared that part, stating it was the ownership’s call. The owners, well known to be patient with top executives mentioned that the off-court situation warranted this decision.

Now fans believe Westbrook is at fault for ruining a dynasty. They believe he did not do his part of playing efficient basketball. Had they won, this situation would not have come about. Fans believe the nine-time All-Star needs to take accountability. Check out examples of those comments below.

Basketball fans have seen enough evidence to think that Russell Westbrook is doing what he needs to do to win. He is performing well in spurts, but over the course of a season, there are a lot of missteps. That is not helping him or the team he is on.

Westbrook could be sitting on the bench a lot

Interim head coach David Adelman might not hold the power Michael Malone used to. But he knows all too well that if the Denver Nuggets do not show a fighting spirit, he will not help his case to land the head coaching job permanently.

This is not the time to help favorite or star players. They need to win the final two regular season games to first gain home-court advantage in the playoffs. Then they have to continue to win games to give ownership a decent return for this season.

That is why Russell Westbrook played just 16 minutes in the win against the Sacramento Kings. More importantly, he played less minutes than Jalen Pickett and Peyton Watson. That was not the case under Malone. If the Nuggets continue to win with minutes restrictions on the 36-year-old, this decision will be justified.