A recent video has some Los Angeles Lakers fans a bit anxious about Russell Westbrook’s chemistry with his teammates as NBA regular season.
Russell Westbrook : Huddle | Huddle video | Stats
Russell Westbrook III is an American professional basketball player for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association (NBA).
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | November 12, 1988 Long Beach, California, U.S. |
| Listed height | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) |
| Listed weight | 200 lb (91 kg) |
A member of the NBA 75th Anniversary Team, he is a nine-time NBA All-Star and earned the NBA Most Valuable Player Award (MVP) for the 2016–17 season.
He is also a nine-time All-NBA Team member, led the league in scoring in 2014–15 and 2016–17, and won back-to-back NBA All-Star Game MVP awards in 2015 and 2016.
Russell westbrook Huddle
After several videos went viral making it appear Russell Westbrook was intentionally distancing himself from teammates during the Los Angeles Lakers’ preseason loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday, the veteran guard offered context to debunk any signs of discord.
In one video, shot on a phone by Instagram user Michael Morales from a seat located behind the Lakers’ bench, Westbrook is seen greeting teammates near the foul line during player introductions and then running to the bench alone, while the Lakers huddled up.
“Pregame, I’ve been doing that since I’ve been in the league for years, man,” Westbrook said after practice Thursday.
“I think they just cut the video and obviously the internet is going to take it and run with whatever they need to run with. But, I’ve been doing the same ritual since I’ve been in the league.”
Westbrook’s wife, Nina, responded to a Twitter user who showed several photos and videos of Westbrook indeed following the same solo pregame ritual on other teams he has played for by writing, “Smh… and it begins…”
Huddle video
In the aftermath of last year’s abysmal campaign, Russell Westbrook is trying to start fresh with a brand-new slate. So far, he has said all the right things and has even reaffirmed his loyalty to the club.
But, despite Westbrook’s best intentions, some of his behavior is already being scrutinized by the community in a negative way.
Most recently, some footage of Westbrook in a team huddle with Patrick Beverley and others drew the attention of fans online, who criticized him for ‘ignoring’ his teammates.
Truth be told, the clip isn’t a good look for Westbrook — but there’s no evidence he was intentionally ignoring anybody. In fact, according to Russ himself, it was all just a part of a pre-game ritual he does every single game.
“Pre-game, I’ve been doing that for years man. I think they just cut the video and obviously, the internet gonna take it and run with it wherever they need to run with it. I’ve been doing the same ritual since I’ve been in the league. So, I don’t pay no mind to it, honestly I’m just trying to compete and do my job… you can cut any video and make whatever you want out of it. It’s not up to me to be able to judge that.”
Russ was clearly annoyed by having to even address this topic, but he shouldn’t be surprised that this is the situation he now finds himself in.
Russell westbrook Stats
|
Year
|
Team
|
GP
|
Min
|
Pts
|
FG%
|
Reb
|
Ast
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2021
|
LAL
|
78
|
34.3
|
18.5
|
44.4
|
7.4
|
7.1
|
|
2020
|
WAS
|
65
|
36.4
|
22.2
|
43.9
|
11.5
|
11.7
|
|
2019
|
HOU
|
57
|
35.9
|
27.2
|
47.2
|
7.9
|
7.0
|
|
2018
|
OKC
|
73
|
36.0
|
22.9
|
42.8
|
11.1
|
10.7
|
|
2017
|
OKC
|
80
|
36.4
|
25.4
|
44.9
|
10.1
|
10.2
|
|
2016
|
OKC
|
81
|
34.6
|
31.6
|
42.5
|
10.7
|
10.4
|
|
2015
|
OKC
|
80
|
34.4
|
23.5
|
45.4
|
7.8
|
10.4
|
|
2014
|
OKC
|
67
|
34.4
|
28.1
|
42.6
|
7.3
|
8.6
|
|
2013
|
OKC
|
46
|
30.7
|
21.8
|
43.7
|
5.7
|
6.9
|
|
2012
|
OKC
|
82
|
34.9
|
23.2
|
43.8
|
5.2
|
7.4
|
|
2011
|
OKC
|
66
|
35.3
|
23.6
|
45.7
|
4.6
|
5.5
|
|
2010
|
OKC
|
82
|
34.7
|
21.9
|
44.2
|
4.6
|
8.2
|
|
2009
|
OKC
|
82
|
34.3
|
16.1
|
41.8
|
4.9
|
8.0
|
|
2008
|
OKC
|
82
|
32.5
|
15.3
|
39.8
|
4.9
|
5.3
|
|
Career
|
|
1,021
|
34.7
|
22.8
|
43.8
|
7.4
|
8.4
|
On January 4, 2022, in a 122–114 win over the Sacramento Kings, Westbrook had his first game without turnovers since March 14, 2016. In January 19, he was benched by Lakers head coach Frank Vogel in the final four minutes of a home loss against the Indiana Pacers.
And on January 29, in a 114–117 loss to the Charlotte Hornets, he scored 35 points, of which 30 in the second half (16 points in the fourth quarter from a 20-point deficit) were the most by any Laker since Kobe Bryant’s last game on April 13, 2016.
After severing ties with his agent, Thad Foucher of Wasserman, in July 2022, Westbrook signed Jeff Schwartz of Excel Sports for his representation on August 1, 2022.
During the offseason, the Lakers acquired point guards Patrick Beverley and Dennis Schröder.