1 Year Anniversary plus Sliding Doors with Russell Westbrook

Ever wondered how one player's move can change the entire fate of a team? In our special anniversary episode of Fandom From Afar, we celebrate an incredible year of podcasting and dive into the hypothetical world of Russell Westbrook joining the Nuggets. Through our unique game, Sliding Doors, we explore three potential scenarios that could unfold with Westbrook on the team. From a season filled with injuries and frustrations to one brimming with renewed energy and victory, you get to choose which path seems most likely—or most hopeful. 

This episode is not just a look back but also a leap forward as we thank all the amazing guests and listeners who have been part of this journey. It's been a year filled with engaging conversations, fun games, and memorable fan stories. As we gear up for another fantastic year, I promise to bring you even better content and continue to grow both as a host and technically. So, tune in, play along, and let's imagine together what the future holds for the Nuggets with Russell Westbrook at the helm.

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:03):
All right, everyone, welcome back to what I will say
is a special episode for metoday.
Today marks the one-yearanniversary of the first Fandom
From Afar podcast that came out,and I can't believe it's been a
year already.
This kind of started out asjust hey, let's just try it and

(00:24):
see how it goes, and I've had somuch fun doing it.
I do have to thank every guestthat came on the podcast with me
this past year, just taking thetime to share their story.
I've really enjoyed each andevery one.
I don't think there's been abad guest on the show so far and
just them sharing their originstories and kind of how they

(00:48):
became a fan and how they stillshare in the fan experience even
if they are far away.
It's really been cool.
I've really enjoyed it and Ijust want to thank everyone for
coming on and for putting upwith my silly games that I
include in the episodes as well.
So I look forward to any of mypast guests coming on again and

(01:14):
we can find new games to playand just share how your fandom
has evolved since the first timeyou came on.
I also want to thank mylisteners.
It's been just a wonderfulsurprise how many people have
listened to this and given mefeedback, whether it's on text
or social media or anything likethat, and it's just fun.

(01:35):
I have a fun time making theseepisodes and it's just so great
to hear that you guys have a funtime listening.
Whether it's the guestinterview episodes or my solo
shows where I'm talking aboutthe nuggets, I really appreciate
you guys taking time to listen.
I know there's a lot of othersports podcasts out there, so I

(01:55):
don't take it for granted thatyou spend a little time
listening to mine, and so, withthat said, I'll keep trying to
get better, not only as apodcast host but also on the
technical side, and really justtry and make episodes that are
even better in year two.
So, with that said, I do wantto play a game.

(02:17):
Today.
I don't have a guest, but I'mgoing to kind of play a game.
I will set the premise and thenyou as a listener can kind of
choose which answer you would gowith in my game.
So the game is called SlidingDoors.
The reason I chose this isbecause Russell Westbrook has
officially signed with theNuggets.

(02:37):
It was long rumored and we kindof all knew it was coming, but
I guess a part of me was still alittle nervous until it
actually happened, just becauseI'm a Nuggets fan Big name free
agents don't normally sign withthe Nuggets, so I think I had a
little part of me that was stillscared that he was going to

(02:59):
change his mind at the lastsecond and sign with Miami or
New York or somebody like that.
So I'm excited that he is onthe team.
I think he's going to bring afire and some energy and some
leadership, and the actualbasketball part we'll see, but
that's part of what the game istoday.
I want you to kind of decidehow this is going to go, having

(03:23):
Russell Westbrook on our teamand could he be the domino for
either terrible things happeningto the Nuggets this year or
possibly amazing thingshappening.
So I have three scenarios foryou, good listeners, if you want
to listen to all three, andthen you can choose which one

(03:43):
you think is more likely, or youcan choose which one you hope
will happen.
It's really up to you, it'syour game.
So let's start with scenarionumber one.
Scenario number one DeronHolmes is the first of many
injuries.
The Nuggets can't seem to gethealthy or find a rhythm.

(04:06):
The young Nuggets either can'tstay healthy or find consistency
.
The Vets are frustrated withthe young players' inconsistency
.
Trade rumors start and theNuggets find themselves in the
seventh seed at the tradedeadline.
Michael Malone feels thepressure to win now so he starts
playing the veterans even more,which leads to more injuries.

(04:28):
The Nuggets barely make theplayoffs in the sixth seed, but
we are eliminated in the firstround and major changes are
coming in the offseason.
Now.
That is a pretty bad, badscenario.
Let's see what scenario numbertwo is.
The Nuggets are refreshed afterhaving a longer offseason than

(04:53):
expected.
Jamal Murray comes into campslightly in shape after playing
for Team Canada in the Olympics,and Aaron Gordon and MPJ are
mentally and physicallyrefreshed.
The young Nuggets play betterthan expected and Westbrook
provides leadership and ballhandling to stabilize the
Nuggets bench.
Now, with good health, theNuggets coast their way to the

(05:17):
third seed.
They take the last few weeksoff to get ready for the
playoffs.
A rested Nuggets team getsready to face the Western
Conference teams and becausethey are so healthy and so
rested, they cruise all the wayto a Western Finals matchup with

(05:38):
the Thunder.
Experience plus Jokic leads theNuggets to a long-awaited
matchup with the Celtics in theNBA Finals.
After a tough seven-game series, jokic wins his second Finals
MVP and the Nuggets arechampions once again.
A little bit better that time.

(05:59):
I like that one.
Let's see what scenario numberthree has for us.
Westbrook's intensity unlockssomething in the Nuggets.
Jamal is motivated to level upand become all-NBA.
Peyton Watson, christian Brownand Julian Strother feed off of

(06:19):
Russell's energy and the quartetbecomes a fan favorite with
their swarming style and justplaying to the crowd all the
time.
They play so well that nobodyeven notices that Zeke Nagy is
out there too.
Sorry, zeke, I had to.
The starters are energizedbecause the bench doesn't
immediately give up every singlelead.

(06:40):
Aaron Gordon leads the leaguein blocks, mpj averages six
three-pointers per game andChristian Brown becomes one of
the league's best defenders.
The team's energy, along withJokic's new goatee, propel the
Nuggets to 62 wins and thenumber one seed Fast forward to

(07:01):
a gentleman's sweep of theCeltics, while Jokic averages
15-15-15 in the playoffs andwins another playoff MVP.
So three very differentscenarios.
I'll give you a few seconds tomaybe choose which one you think
is more likely, or which oneyou hope happens.

(07:23):
Or maybe you're just thinkingabout how cool I am for spending
my time coming up with threedream scenarios for the Nuggets.
Either way, I think we're allwinners.
I think scenario number two ismost likely.
I think Russell Westbrook willhave a positive impact by his

(07:43):
leadership, by his attitude.
I think the Nuggets learnedfrom last year.
I think they're going to takeit easier on the veterans and
let the young guys struggle butgrow and be ready for the
playoffs.
I think the Nuggets will have agood record, but they're not
going to be the top, and I alsothink they're going to win the
championship.
Thank you all so much forlistening.

(08:05):
This year has been amazing.
I have enjoyed each and everyepisode and look forward to
continuing it on for year two.