Russell Westbrook has seen the love and hate a superstar gets. He’s seen the glamorous peak of the NBA and the disgusting lows. He was once a record-breaking league MVP and is now just the punchline to any Lakers joke.
The problem arises when you take one of the most ridiculed players in the league and put him on the biggest stage. It’s not long before the harmless jokes become harmful.
Russell Westbrook was sat at the post-game interview after their win against the Warriors. In that game, he had one of his better performances which gave him a strong pedestal to stand on. He was asked about the situation between his wife, Nina Westbrook, and Sports commentator Skip Bayless.
Here is what Russell Westbrook said
Nina Westbrook recently had posted a story addressing Skip Bayless blocking her even though Skip is the one that harasses the Westbrook name. To this Westbrook said,
“She’s reached a point and my family has reached a point where it’s weighing on them and it’s very unfortunate just for me personally because this is just a game. This is not end all be all…”
Westbrook went on to say that he accepts the criticism but draws the line on the personal name being tarnished. He has heard the before but often ignored them.
Russ went on to add that his son is proud of his name Westbrook made Russell realize the importance of his name and the respect that should come with it. Russell was also wearing a chain with the first letters of the members of his family.
The story told by Westbrook reminds us of something important. It reminds us that there is a line between the player on the court and the life off the court. A line that fans seem too comfortable to play jump rope with.
However, that shouldn’t be the case. Russ’ play could directly correspond to the feedback he receives. Westbrook is a passionate player but the Lakers fans are ruthless.
Will this insight into the life of Westbrook change the way the fans treat him? We have a couple of weeks to see it or else we’d see Westbrook have to leave his home that does not feel like that anymore.