Lakers’ Russell Westbrook speaks out about harassment household has been topic to, vows to push again on ‘Westbrick’ taunts

SAN ANTONIO — After his spouse took to social media to element the criticism and even “demise needs” her household has acquired, Russell Westbrook elaborated on the harassment they have been topic to in his first season with the Los Angeles Lakers.

Westbrook, a 14-year veteran, nine-time All-Star and former league MVP, stated the derision is nothing new for him however that he and his spouse, Nina, are talking out for 2 causes: To defend the honour of the household title and to guard their kids.

“I 100 % stand behind my spouse and the way she’s feeling,” Westbrook stated after Los Angeles’ 117-100 loss to the San Antonio Spurs on Monday. “In relation to basketball, I do not thoughts the criticism of lacking and making photographs. However the second it turns into the place my title is getting shamed, it turns into a problem.

“I’ve sort of let it go prior to now as a result of it by no means actually bothered me. But it surely actually sort of hit me the opposite day. Me and my spouse had been at teacher-parent conferences for my son. And the trainer instructed me, ‘Noah, he is so pleased with his final title. He writes it in every single place. He writes it on the whole lot. He tells everyone and walks round and says, ‘I am Westbrook.’ … And I sort of sat there in shock, and it hit me, like, ‘Rattling. I can now not enable individuals [to besmirch my name].'”

The Westbrooks have three kids: 4-year-old Noah and twin 3-year-old daughters, Jordyn and Skye.

Westbrook, whom the Lakers overhauled their roster to amass within the offseason, has change into the poster boy for the workforce’s struggles this season, deserved or not. L.A. got here into the 2021-22 marketing campaign as one of many odds-on favorites to win all of it, and Monday’s loss — when he shot 5-for-14 total, together with 1-for-6 within the fourth quarter, with 5 turnovers — dropped the Lakers eight video games underneath .500 with 18 video games left to play.

“‘Westbrick,’ for instance, to me, is now shaming,” he stated, referring to a condescending nickname that makes the rounds on-line seemingly each time he has a poor efficiency. “It is shaming my title, my legacy for my children. It is a title which means, not simply to me, however to my spouse, to my mother, my dad, those that sort of paved the way in which for me.”

Because the highest-paid participant on the Lakers this season, making $44 million, Westbrook’s manufacturing has been a goal for a lot of followers pissed off with how inconsistent the Lakers have been. He’s averaging 18.1 factors on 43.4% capturing from the sector, 28.4% from Three and 67% from the foul line, to go together with 7.6 rebounds, 7.2 assists and 4.zero turnovers per sport.

Late within the third quarter on Monday, with each groups lining up on the free throw line for a Spurs foul shot, Westbrook was captured on a courtside attendee’s telephone shouting at a fan, “Yo, do not disrespect my title.”

Westbrook vowed to contain himself in comparable style if taunts like that happen sooner or later.

“A number of instances, I let it slide. However now it is time to put a cease to that and put it on discover,” he stated. “There is a distinction. We’d like to ensure it is understood. And each time I do hear it now, I’ll make it possible for I deal with it and ensure I nip that within the bud.”

Westbrook stated the therapy from followers has brought about his household to keep away from attending his video games in particular person.

“It impacts them even going to video games,” he stated. “Like, I do not even need to convey my children to the sport as a result of I do not need them to listen to individuals calling their dad nicknames and different names for no purpose as a result of he is taking part in the sport that he loves. And it is gotten so unhealthy the place my household do not even need to go to residence video games, to any sport … and it is simply tremendous unlucky, man. And it is tremendous upsetting to me.

“I am at a degree the place I will proceed to deal with it. It is simply unlucky.”