Russell Westbrook's Number Switch: A Journey Back to His Roots
Russell Westbrook, one of the most dynamic players in the NBA, will not be wearing his iconic No. 0 jersey for the Denver Nuggets next season. Instead, he'll be switching to No. 4 for the second time in his storied professional career. This decision comes following a significant series of moves, including a trade and a buyout that have landed him in Denver.
Westbrook, originally traded by the Los Angeles Clippers to the Utah Jazz, found his way to the Nuggets through a buyout of his contract, allowing him to join the team as a free agent. The change in jersey number is as intriguing as the pathway that led him to Denver.
Christian Braun, a young star for the Nuggets, currently wears the No. 0 jersey—a number he also donned during his high school career. Westbrook clarified his decision regarding the jersey change, stating, "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."
The resonance of No. 4 is deeply personal for Westbrook. "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," he explained. This number is not just a digit on a jersey for Westbrook; it represents a journey and a return to his foundational roots. "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," he elaborated.
Westbrook's history with the No. 4 jersey dates back to his high school days. However, as he advanced through his career, the number was frequently unavailable. "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 noted.
This season, rookie Hunter Tyson initially held the No. 4 jersey for the Nuggets. Tyson, a second-round pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, appeared in just 18 games for the team, averaging under three minutes per game. Understanding the significance of the number to Westbrook, Tyson agreed to switch to No. 5, facilitating Westbrook's return to No. 4.
This act of camaraderie and respect within the team speaks volumes about the dynamics and support among the Nuggets' players. It also underscores the reverence and legacy attached to jersey numbers in the NBA, where a single digit can carry a plethora of personal and professional narratives.
As Westbrook gears up for the upcoming season with the Nuggets, his shift back to No. 4 stands as a symbolic return to his roots. It’s a number that encapsulates his journey, his beginnings, and his unyielding drive. For fans and followers, this change is more than just a swap—it’s a continuation of the ever-evolving story of one of basketball’s most electrifying talents.
With Christian Braun maintaining No. 0 and Westbrook embracing No. 4, the Denver Nuggets are poised to embark on an exciting chapter. The team synergy and mutual respect evident in jersey exchanges bode well for their performance on the court. For Westbrook, this season is not just about new beginnings with a new team but also about reconnecting with the number that’s always felt like home.