Why the Nuggets' title hopes might hinge on the most volatile player in the NBA

Denver Nuggets beat Oklahoma City Thunder 121 -119 in Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals.

Russell Westbrook made several critical plays down the stretch as the Nuggets rallied from a 13 -point fourth-quarter deficit.

Thunder center Chet Holmgren tried to lure Westbrook into a lose-lose choice: driving in himself or pulling up for 3 .

After the game, Westbrook explained his thinking: "My job is to drive and kick".

Denver Nuggets signed Westbrook as a free agent this summer .

Sources say the Nuggets worried Westbrook would destabilize the locker room and undercut Jamal Murray's confidence.

Westbrook has been exactly what the Nuggets needed at times -- and at others has also been their undoing.

He has inspired loyalty and great annoyance among teammates -- sometimes on the same day .

Sources: Former coach Mike Malone erred on the side of giving Westbrook the kind of latitude on and off the court that Jokic and Murray got.

That didn't sit well with everyone, which, ironically, was why Westbrook wasn't in town when Malone and general manager Calvin Booth both were fired and Adelman was given the job on an interim basis.