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Russell Westbrook Reveals That The Lakers Didn’t Allow Him To Be Himself At All: “Let’s Be Honest”
The Los Angeles Lakers expected more success this season with the help of former league MVP Russell Westbrook, but things turned out much worse as the team finished their campaign with a 33-49 record, which ultimately curbed their playoff hopes.
Westbrook failed to live up to expectations and struggled to find any consistent rhythm all year. As a ball-dominant player, he also had to fit in alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis which made it difficult for him to succeed as an individual.
On the year, Westbrook averaged 18.5 points (his lowest mark since the 2009-10 NBA season), 7.4 rebounds and 7.1 assists per game on 44.4% shooting from the field, 29.8% from the three-point line and 66.7% from the charity stripe.
Appearing on an exit interview, Westbrook held no punches when discussing his experience with the Lakers. According to the 33-year old point guard, the Lakers didn’t actually allow him to be himself at all, which was in contrast to LeBron and Davis’ message during the season.
When @DanWoikeSports mentions that LeBron and AD said many times throughout the year, “Let Russ be Russ,” Russell Westbrook immediately responds: “Yeah, but that wasn’t true. Let’s be honest.”
When @DanWoikeSports mentions that LeBron and AD said many times throughout the year, “Let Russ be Russ,” Russell Westbrook immediately responds: “Yeah, but that wasn’t true. Let’s be honest.”
— Kyle Goon (@kylegoon) April 11, 2022
Russell Westbrook said “top to bottom” on coming to L.A.: I just felt like I was never given a fair chance to be who I needed to be to help this team.
Russell Westbrook said “top to bottom” on coming to L.A.: I just felt like I was never given a fair chance to be who I needed to be to help this team.
— Kyle Goon (@kylegoon) April 11, 2022
