OKC Thunder superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander sent a clear Russell Westbrook message during the playoff series against the Denver Nuggets.

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.

There’s numerous factors that contributed to the Oklahoma City Thunder’s Game 1 collapse, and subsequent Denver Nuggets comeback. The now-infamous fouling up th