Michael Malone said Russell Westbrook's “(rant) talk was infectious to the quiet Nuggets.”

Add Russell Westbrook to your NBA team these days and you're in some ways the equivalent of Tobias Funke's “Did it work out for these guys?” meme. But the Denver Nuggets, seeking their second title in three years, believe Westbrook – particularly his competitive demeanor – could be just what they ordered to pull them out of a period of quiet stagnation.

On Monday, as the Nuggets' season opener against the Oklahoma City Thunder approached Thursday night, Denver head coach Michael Malone said Westbrook had been relentlessly competitive in practice against the other Nuggets.

Apparently, Westbrook even got under the skin of the notoriously quiet Nuggets, as his “(expletive) talking” approach was even infectious.

(Warning: NSFW language in tweet and video below.)

On-court fitness aside, it's probably really necessary for the Nuggets to approach games the way Westbrook does in order to get out of their perceived rut. Nikola Jokic's gang have never been ones to wear their hearts on their sleeves. From a measured, balanced perspective, this is practical, but probably has its drawbacks when everyone dreads a long drive in the middle of winter.

Westbrook's injection of energy and fire already appears to be a welcome addition to Denver's mix.

This article originally appeared on For The Win: Michael Malone said Russell Westbrook's “(rant) talk was infectious to silent nuggets.”