On Friday night, the Denver Nuggets played the Oklahoma City Thunder (at home) for Game 3 of their second-round playoff series. The Nuggets won by a score of 1

But the idea that the Nuggets can upset the Thunder would be crazy talk without Westbrook. Against the league’s deepest team, Westbrook is akin to a judge, alone on the bench. Peyton Watson might get a block, and Julian Strawther might make a shot, but Westbrook is the only reserve who can be trusted.

Russell Westbrook always puts on a show, but OKC and Thunder fans have never seen it from this vantage point. Bring on the Nuggets and the drama.