The Los Angeles Lakers were defeated 117-110 by the Spurs on Monday in the NBA and once again all eyes were on Russell Westbrook, as has been the constant throughout the 2021-22 season.
Westbrook had 17 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists in this matchup, but he was targeted again in the stadium and on social media, where he has been mercilessly attacked all season.
“We have reached a point where the whole issue is affecting my family. Personally, I don’t mind receiving criticism if I have a bad game, but when they disrespect me and that affects my family, it becomes a problem and It’s something I can’t allow,” Westbrook said at the press conference regarding what he is experiencing after each commitment.
Russell Westbrook opens up on the criticism he and his family have received this season
(via @RyanWardLA)
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) March 8, 2022
During the game, Westbrook got into a verbal altercation with a fan at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, after they yelled “Westbrick” at him, something that made the former league MVP freak out.
The Lakers have a record of 28 wins and 36 losses, which occupies the ninth position in the Western Conference. Of course this is an absolutely disappointing venue for a team that came in with title aspirations, but blaming “Russ” alone is absolutely unfair and wrong.
Much of the criticism of the storied organization’s poor season has been on the shoulders of Russell Westbrook, but certainly Anthony Davis has also been left in the team’s debt. By now Davis was expected to be the team’s main offensive option and an MVP candidate, but his constant injuries have become a never-ending headache in Los Angeles.
Russell Westbrook is the Lakers’ scapegoat:
FACT or CAP? pic.twitter.com/tY4vNQC9vl
— NBA Memes (@NBAMemes) March 8, 2022
A team that has LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Westbrook and Carmelo Anthony to name just a few should at least show more pride and effort each day, but Frank Vogel hasn’t made them even competitive on the defensive end. It is inexplicable to me that the Lakers coach is not mentioned more often as the main person responsible for this debacle.
18.1 points, 7.6 rebounds and 7.2 assists are the numbers of the 33-year-old, which seem more than acceptable to me for someone who came into the organization to be the third figure behind LeBron and Davis, but who is being judged as if he had to carry the franchise.
Russell Westbrook is not the problem. pic.twitter.com/FkjC39dk0c
— Russell Westbrook Stan (@WhyNotBr0die2) March 6, 2022
The Lakers season has been a nightmare for players, fans and managers and of course Westbrook is one of the culprits, but many want to pretend that he is the only one.
