Russell Westbrook will not be donning the No. 0 jersey for the Denver Nuggets next season. Instead, he will be embracing a significant change as he steps into a new chapter of his career, wearing the No. 4 jersey. This decision marks the second time Westbrook has opted for the No. 4, a number that holds personal significance for the celebrated point guard.
A Journey with the No. 4
The choice to switch jersey numbers is not one Westbrook takes lightly. "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 remarked, reflecting on his deep connection to the number. This link to his past is echoed in the fact that he wore the No. 4 jersey during his high school days.
Westbrook's professional journey with the No. 4 has seen its share of roadblocks. At UCLA, Arron Afflalo already had the number. When he moved to the Oklahoma City Thunder, Nick Collison held No. 4. Upon arriving in Houston, Danuel House Jr. was wearing it. "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 explained.
New Beginnings with the Denver Nuggets
Westbrook's transition to the Denver Nuggets came via a buyout from the Utah Jazz, following his trade from the Los Angeles Clippers. As a result, free agency opened the door for him to make this meaningful switch. The number switch was facilitated by rookie Hunter Tyson, who initially held the No. 4 jersey but agreed to take No. 5 instead. Tyson, a second-round pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, has seen limited playing time, making just 18 appearances and averaging under three minutes per game.
Westbrook wanted to emphasize the significance of this fresh start. "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," he clarified. Christian Braun currently wears the No. 0 jersey for the Nuggets, a number he also wore during his high school career. Westbrook's decision to choose No. 4 underscores his desire for a new beginning and a return to his roots.
Personal and Professional Significance
For Westbrook, this switch is both a professional and personal milestone. "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 noted. This change signifies not just a new chapter in his basketball journey but also a reconnection with his personal history.
Westbrook's return to No. 4 could also be seen as a strategic move. Reconnecting with a number that holds personal significance might assist in reigniting the energy and spirit that propelled him during his early years as an athlete. The personal meaning behind the number might translate into renewed vigor on the court, benefiting both him and the Nuggets.
As the Denver Nuggets prepare for the upcoming season, fans and analysts alike will be keen to see how Westbrook adapts and performs with his new number. Will this symbolic change catalyze a resurgence in his game? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: Westbrook's intrinsic connection to the No. 4 adds an intriguing subtext to his already storied career.