Last season, the then-defending NBA champion Denver Nuggets were considered to be the elite of the elite in the league, with superstar Nikola Jokic still playing at the top of his game and the team seemingly firing on all cylinders.

With some new pieces, head coach Michael Malone may need to work through what combinations he likes the best, and he spoke on one pairing in particular after the game. Asked about the Russell Westbrook and Jamal Murray duo,

Westbrook was hardly the only offender on these fronts, but his presence was a startling reminder of just what a step back the Nuggets -- who are only two seasons removed from an