The Los Angeles Lakers acquired Russell Westbrook last year with the hope that he would be able to help lead them to a championship.
Not only did Westbrook fail in that regard, but he also couldn’t even get the team into the playoffs.
In addition to objectively playing poorly, the former league MVP also had a terrible attitude throughout. He has feuded with coaches. He has feuded with fans. He has just been a mess.
Understandably, Westbrook isn’t commanding much respect from anyone nowadays. Not even his much younger peers.
This week, San Antonio Spurs rookie Jeremy Sochan openly mocked Westbrook during a recent TV interview.
Listen to the first thing that came to Jeremy Sochan’s mind when he heard “Russel Westbrook” 😅
(via bleacherreport/IG) pic.twitter.com/zyFmV9DVPW
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPointsApp) July 17, 2022
Sochan would later try to apologize:
Been one idol since I started watching the NBA and my dog is called Russell pic.twitter.com/OwGyNJu8Yu
— Jeremy Sochan (@JeremySochan) July 17, 2022
Again, Westbrook has had a horrific attitude throughout this entire process. And he played a massive role in the ouster of head coach Frank Vogel, who for all his faults, is just a couple of years removed from leading the Lakers to a championship.
That’s one more championship than Westbrook has ever won.
The Laker are currently desperately trying to dump Westbrook in a trade for Kyrie Irving.
Now that’s how you dress to a party. https://t.co/ykEWy10vJX
— Game 7 (@game7__) July 18, 2022
At the moment two players are seen as roadblocks inhibiting a trade from occurring, but there is optimism that it can be worked through. A general framework for a deal is out there, and generally that is the first step to getting something done.
Will Westbrook soon be someone else’s problem for the 2022-23 NBA season?
Time will tell.
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Charles Kruger has been credentialed to cover two Super Bowls, four NBA Finals, and one World Series. A 20-year veteran in the sports world, he has sources spanning the NBA, MLB, NFL, UFC and NASCAR. Currently residing in Los Angeles, Calif., he is Game 7’s go-to source for rumors surrounding the Lakers, Clippers and Dodgers.
