[OFFICIAL] Russell Westbrook as a Los Angeles Laker thread

The sport's mediadel crossed the line a long time ago. All because of LeBron.

 

Just as true in NY. Difference is there, the Knicks have been bad for soooo long, nobody really expects otherwise.

In LA, the Lakers being exposed as something less than Gods has the sports community in a panic. Not only that, but their king isn't even a true Laker.

IMO, the media and the fans do it to each other. It goes something like this:

Fans: We want to win.
Media: You deserve to win.
Fans: But were not winning
Media: Your not getting what you deserve.
Fans: Whose fault is that?
Media: Well now, bla bla bla
Fans: Fire them. Trade them. Run them out of town.
Media: Rumors are bla bla is getting fired.
Fans: Why did we hire that clown/sign that player in the first place?
Media: Multiple sources say bla bla is to blame for bla bla player.

And on, and on...

 

Lakers problems are bigger than Russel Westbrook. He sucks and the Lakers have the least talented team in the NBA. Whole roster is hot garbage

 

Lakers, there's always John Wall next season. But the asking price got higher of course.

 

No sympathy for Westbrook.

For basically his entire career he's known the things he needs to improve upon, yet at no point has he ever shown the slightest bit of introspection. He's openly said that he's gonna "play the way he wants". Lazy defense, terrible shot selection, no movement without the ball, and of course no improvement on his 3. The lack of a 3 I can almost excuse, but all of the other stuff is entirely within his control. No effort, ever, to do whats best for the team and not for himself.

As soon as Durant bailed he became the most me first player in NBA history, to the point and entire franchise made getting him gimmick stats the whole show. Now in 2 of the last 3 years he played on teams actually expecting to compete for a title, and they both hate his guts because he still plays the same bulls**t way.

Yes the internet nonsense to toward his family sucks, but sadly that's not uncommon in the social media age where everybody has a faceless direct link to each other.

 

It was interesting to see that the Celts and Lakers were practically dominating the 60s,70s,80s and 00s.

 

I bet their rebuild will be faster than the rockets. Sad but true

 

Only because they will have a superstar choose to go there no matter how poorly run they are.

Unfortunately the other 29 teams don't have that luxury and have to actually make themselves an attractive destination.

 

westbrick continues to be in his feelings and a loser. never gets old. cf's loved this guy though not so long ago.

"upgrade they said" lmao

 

I don't have a ton of sympathy for Russ. There are worst things in the world than being called "Westbrick" by fans.

That said, I blame the coaching staff. I'm sure the fans would still complain, but if he was moved to a bench guy and not playing at end of games, chances are he wouldn't be hated as much. What really drives Lakers nation nuts, it seems, is watching Russ blow games, throw up errant passes and shots, and get turnovers at the worse possible moments. A bench role is less stressful and puts him alongside the second unit where he has more freedom to shoot and score, orchestrate the offense, and handle the ball. I'm shocked they haven't done it already, and as long as he's getting 30+ mins and missing layups and turning the ball over, he's going to get boos.

 

I agree with no sympathy for Westbrook, himself. However, if/when these insults start to creep in and affect family life, that's when I have a problem with it.

Latest article I read mentioned how his 4 yo son loves the "Westbrook" name. Imagine if the son was a little older and amongst the youth of today. Not only would he get bullied on social media and constantly read about his dad being bad at basketball, but he'd probably get verbally bullied at school, too. Wife is complaining about insults too. The only crime those two committed, was being associated with Russell Westbrook.

It's just unfortunate that 'Westbrick' sounds so much like 'Westbrook.' We've seen insults like 'Har_en' or 'Anthony Day-to-Davis,' but 'Westbrick' just hits different.

 

I still can't believe WBrick robbed Harden of that MVP

 

Westbrick spends more time worrying about things off the court than his shitty play for years on the court. westbrick is nothing new. Hes been that for years and years.

Dudes such an idiot. Like i said his bball iq is flat out terrible

 

14 FGA
13 FTA
17 PTS

43.1 TS%

Stop ****ing shooting Russ!

 

The nickname of Westbrick isn't the issue. It's what's being spotlighted. The issue is the onslaught of criticism and blame he is receiving for the Lakers's failure of a season. The Lakers were expected to come out of the West, they are currently barely in the play-in, and that fact hurts a lot of people and will cost the NBA money. Someone has to pay and Westbrook is the sacrificial lamb.

I haven't dug into his numbers, but how much worse is he this season than last or his career averages? He's always been this way with the inefficiency, turnovers, terrible defense, and headscratching plays. His play is more scrutanized because he plays for the Lakers and, more importantly, with LeBron. Also, the Wizards who are currently out of the play-in without Westbrook, made the playoffs last season with Westbrook contributing to their season.

So, yeah, blame Westbrook because he is contributing to this disappointment, but Davis has hardly played and LeBron is focusing on the scoring title and points record. I don't know if sympathy is the word, but the mediadel has ordered the code red against him in order to protect LeBron, IMO.