Shaquille O’Neal believes Denver’s Nuggets are better for the Oklahoma City Thunder as Russell Westbrook faces his former team.
The Denver Nuggets dominated against the LA Clippers, defeating 120-101 to win Game 7. The Nuggets faced the Oklahoma City Thunder in the second round.
It was a disastrous performance by James Harden. Meanwhile, his former Thunder teammate Russell Westbrook made a major impact with 16 points off the bench.
Nikola Djokic showed how he is becoming a vocal leader with tonight’s performance. He didn’t have an explosive scoring performance, but he led the Nuggets to a big victory.
The Nuggets face the Thunder team that ruled the Memphis Grizzlies and wiped them out. However, Shaquille O’Neal supports Jokic, Westbrook, and the rest of the crew.
Speaking within the NBA for TNT, Shaquille O’Neal admitted that he is supporting the Denver Nuggets in disrupting the Oklahoma City Thunder.
He admits that the Thunder is a strong team, but Shack hopes Russell Westbrook wins the championship and Nicola Jokic joins the “Big Man Alliance” he started.
“I’m leaning towards Denver. Yes, really, because I want Russ to win the championship and the Joker to be part of the Big Man Alliance.”
“To be the best, you need to be the best. So this will be a good challenge for them. But I’m leaning towards Denver.”
Read more: Jamal Murray reveals his feelings that Russell Westbrook is shooting 5-17 in the Denver Nuggets victory
Several fans and critics were skeptical of Westbrook’s potential impact on the Nugget when he signed it. But he proves everyone wrong.
In fact, Westbrook is currently offering Nuggets the types of benches to score the Lakers desperately needed in the playoffs.
Bill Simmons even believes the Clippers downplayed Westbrook by keeping him wide open during the playoffs.
Now Russ gets the opportunity to play playoff basketball against Thunder, the team he made his name. He will definitely get the welcome of a hero. However, he could have been just as easily a villain if he helped the Nuggets upset the Lightning.