Jusuf Nurkic, Gary Harris to make Pepsi Center debuts tonight vs. Thunder

On my way into the arena tonight, the Thunder team bus was rolling in, too. As I walked by the bus, the infamous Russell Westbrook was stepping out. I immediately thought of Westbrook's antics with Super Mascot Rocky and simultaneously I also thought of Westbrook's friendship with Arron Afflalo.

It's fun to "hate" Westbrook as a Nuggets fan. He routinely destroys the Nuggets and his distain for the Pepsi Center crowd makes for a fun rivalry. His friendship with Afflalo, both UCLA guys, could also make for a good rivalry. I've never understood the thought that because guys are friends, that they'd want to ease up with the competition. Some of my favorite organized and pickup games came against my buddies. It was almost more fun to defeat them than it was random guys at the Parker Rec Center.

Anyhow …

The Nuggets are back in action at 7:00 p.m. MT and there is no TV for tonight's game. Radio Koz will be calling the game on the radio, so tune in as that man can paint a beautiful picture.

Brian Shaw said he'll roll with the same starting lineup tonight of Ty Lawson, Arron Afflalo, Randy Foye, Kenneth Faried, and Timofey Mozgov. Shaw was also asked about Danilo Gallinari from an Oklahoma City reporter and Shaw talked about projected lineups of Lawson, Afflalo, Gallo, Manimal, and Mozgov – that should be your starting lineup come Oct. 29th Nuggets fans.

Shaw also said that he is being most cautious with JaVale McGee of The Surgery Crew. He said JaVale is still experiencing soreness after physical workouts and has to rest or take a day off the day after. He said he's not sure if he'll be ready to go opening night, but he could be. Shaw also said the training staff has told him JaVale's progress, or minor setbacks, are normal and that he'll be good to go … at some point.

I'll be live Tweeting this one, so follow me: @NateTimmonsCO if you care about my thoughts on tonight's contest. And follow Jeff, he's here too: @jmorton78. Or get really creative on the interwebs and try to find a feed (don't post feed links in the comment section).