Russell Westbrook has been the most dominant point guard in recent NBA history, but he’s also often seen as a bully on the court. The Thunder star finally reached his breaking point when an anonymous blogger went after him with “Westbrick” comparisons to glass despite having four rings and making six All-Star Games
Russell Westbrook finally reaches breaking point with “Westbrick” criticism. The Oklahoma City Thunder star was asked about his recent comments that he wanted to see the NBA expand to Europe and Africa.
The poor 2021-22 season of the Los Angeles Lakers has prompted widespread criticism of star point guard Russell Westbrook. He was acquired by the Lakers with the hopes of being the missing piece in a championship contender’s puzzle. However, because of his continued poor performance and the team’s troubles, he has taken the brunt of the blame.
His wife Nina Westbrook is dealing with fans bullying her on social media, and the outside noise has gone well beyond the basketball floor. All of this led the former league MVP to confront the toxicity that is doing havoc on his family.
Russell Westbrook’s continuing battle with the Lakers has gotten him a lot of flak.
During an NBA game, Lakers point guard Russell Westbrook reacts after a play. | Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Westbrook’s return to Los Angeles has been everything but pleasant, as the Lakers have fallen well short of expectations.
Injuries have played a significant role in his failures, but his continuous flaws are a major factor in Los Angeles’ problems. He’s struggled to fill the position of third star after LeBron James and Anthony Davis, prompting talk of relegating him to the bench.
Westbrook’s wife has called out longstanding media member Skip Bayless for his persistent badgering as a result of the outside criticism. These off-court concerns have prompted the top point guard to speak out publicly about the situation.
Russell Westbrook’s ‘Westbrick’ criticism has finally reached a breaking point.
It’s come to the point where my family refuses to attend home games.’
Russell Westbrook discusses how the criticism and insults about his family are affecting him.
(🎥: @SpectrumSN)pic.twitter.com/gKC5IzI8LW
— theScore (@theScore) March 8, 2022
While some of the criticism directed at Russell Westbrook’s performance on the floor is justified, it has shifted his focus away from the court.
The recent Twitter battle between his wife Nina and Skip Bayless made the conversation personal for the 33-year-old. Following Monday’s defeat to the San Antonio Spurs, his previous experience with his kid at a parent-teacher conference, as well as his wife’s anguish, prompted him to no longer accept the mockery he gets because of his last name.
After Monday’s defeat to the Spurs, Westbrook stated, “It really sorta struck me the other day.” “To be honest, my wife and I were at a parent-teacher meeting for my kid. And the instructor told me, ‘Noah, he’s so proud of his name,’ she said. He scribbles it on everything. He scribbles it all over the place. He announces himself to everyone and wanders about saying, “I’m Westbrook, Westbrook!”
“And I was sort of stunned, and it struck me like, ‘Damn, I can’t let people — for example, ‘Westbrick’ is now embarrassing.’ It’s degrading my name and my children’s heritage. It’s a name that means a lot to me, but also to my wife, my mother, and my father, the people who helped pave the road for me.
“And that’s only one case in point. That put me and my wife in a situation where — oh, it’s not great. I guess I’ve let it slip a few times, but now it’s time to put a stop to it and put it on notice. There’s a distinction to be made. We must also ensure that it is understood. And every time I hear it now, I’m going to make sure that I confront it and put a stop to it.”
Westbrook is OK with the criticism directed at his play, but he’s drawn the line when it comes to it affecting his family. He also said that his parents and wife no longer attend home games at Crypto.com Arena due to the negative attention they get.
There comes a time when the outside noise becomes unbearable. Westbrook eventually reached a more than realistic breaking point and needed to handle a problem that was beginning to spiral out of control outside of basketball.
Russell Westbrook must assist the Lakers in reaching the playoffs.
*{padding:0;margin:0;overflow:hidden} html,bodyheight:100% img,spanposition:absolute;width:100% ;top:0;bottom:0;margin:auto;bodyheight:100% html,bodyheight:100% html,bodyheight:100% html,bodyheight:100% html,bodyheight:100% html,bodyheight:100% html,bodyhe spanheight:1.5em;text-align:center;font:48px/1.5 sans-serif;color:white;text-shadow:0 0 0.5em black;text-shadow:0 0 0.5em black;text-shadow:0 0 0.5em black;text-shadow:0 0 0.5em black;text-shadow:0 0 0.5em black;text-shadow
Westbrook will do all he can to keep the noise down, which will require better performance on the floor.
The performance of the nine-time All-Star has a tremendous influence on the degree of negativity in the locker room. Although some fans take their dissatisfaction too far, the resentment stems from his performance in a Lakers outfit.
Los Angeles needs him to play a key role if they are to advance to the playoffs. Westbrook is fully aware of those constraints, which makes the next 18 games of the regular season critical. The aim of reaching the NBA finals remains the same, so securing a playoff berth is the first step.
Improved play will not be the be-all and end-all of criticism, but it will silence the naysayers.
Like Sportscasting on Facebook. Follow us on Twitter @sportscasting19.
Russell Westbrook Experiment Gets a Knockout Blow from Stephen A. Smith: ‘Doesn’t Deserve to Be a Laker’
Related Tags
- how old is russell westbrook
- russell westbrook mvp season
- russell westbrook stats 2021
