Westbrook's New Number in Denver: A Journey Back to His Roots
Russell Westbrook will not be wearing the No. 0 jersey for the Denver Nuggets next season. Instead, fans will see him in No. 4, a number that carries significant personal meaning for the accomplished point guard. This switch marks the second time in his professional career that Westbrook has chosen to don the No. 4 jersey.
Westbrook’s tenure in Denver follows a whirlwind of trades and contract negotiations. After being traded from the Los Angeles Clippers to the Utah Jazz, a buyout of his contract facilitated his move to the Nuggets as a free agent. The decision to wear No. 4 comes after rookie Hunter Tyson agreed to switch his number, allowing Westbrook to claim the jersey that has deep connections to his past.
"Let's please leave our young star alone. CB and I never discussed him passing along the number 0. I did want to inquire about or request the number 0 because I chose to mark this new change with a 'new' number," Westbrook stated, addressing any potential controversy about the number change with a sense of clarity and respect for his new teammate, Christian Braun, who currently wears No. 0 for the Nuggets.
Reflecting on his decision, Westbrook explained, "Obviously I could have stayed with zero if I wanted to, but I just decided to [pick four]. It's kind of my first time in my career I can go back to my original number." And for Westbrook, No. 4 is not just a number; it is a symbol of his roots, a callback to where his journey in basketball truly began.
"Four is my favorite number. It reminds me and it gives me a sense of my roots and where I started from and where I get it from," Westbrook elaborated. In high school, Westbrook wore No. 4, a period that undoubtedly shaped who he is as a player today. However, throughout his storied NBA career, the opportunity to wear his preferred number has been elusive due to various team dynamics.
"When I got to Oklahoma, even at UCLA, I got there, Arron Afflalo had it at UCLA. Then I got to Oklahoma City, Nick Collison had it. Then when I got to Houston, Danuel House had it. So I didn't have an opportunity to kind of go back to my original number," Westbrook recounted, highlighting the series of circumstances that kept him from donning No. 4 until now. This decision to switch back is not just a personal milestone but a chance to revisit his origins in the sport.
The unanticipated journey to Denver has brought fresh opportunities and reflections for Westbrook. His arrival in Denver comes as part of a significant reshuffle that involved several key moves. While Westbrook is ready to make a new start with the Nuggets, Christian Braun and Hunter Tyson are also making necessary adjustments. Braun, who wore No. 0 during his high school career, has created space for the established veteran, while Tyson, a second-round pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, agreed to switch from No. 4 to No. 5 after appearing in just 18 games for the Nuggets with limited court time.
This transition period comes at a time when Westbrook is looking to make a defining impact with a new team and bring his seasoned experience and undeniable talent to the forefront. The narrative surrounding this number change is rich with the weight of personal sentiment and professional evolution. Numbers, especially in sports, often carry storied histories and legacies for players, and Westbrook’s choice is no different.
As Westbrook prepares to step onto the court for the Nuggets in No. 4, the number will serve as a reminder and a symbol of his journey, his roots, and the fresh chapter ahead. To fans and the basketball community at large, it’s a fascinating moment that blends history and hope, a story that lends depth to every dribble, pass, and shot from one of the game's most dynamic players.