El Segundo, Calif. — After several videos went viral, Russell Westbrook Westbrook deliberately distanced himself from his teammates when the Los Angeles Lakers lost to the Minnesota Timberwolves in preseason Wednesday, but Westbrook provided context to expose signs of discord.
In one video, captured over the phone from a seat behind the Lakers’ bench by Instagram user Michael Morales, Westbrook greeted his teammates near the foul line during player introductions, then left alone while the Lakers gathered. is seen running on a bench in
“Before a game, I’ve been doing it for years in the league,” Westbrook said after Thursday’s practice. I’ll do whatever it takes…But I’ve been doing the same ritual ever since I joined the league.
Westbrook’s wife, Nina, tweeted, “Smh …and it begins…’
Hmm…and it starts…
— Nina Westbrook (@ninawestbrook) October 13, 2022
Another video clipped from ESPN’s telecast and widely shared on Twitter, Patrick Beverley After Westbrook’s foul early in the third quarter, teammates gather for an on-court huddle, with Westbrook lining up in rebounding position outside the lane to join the Wolves’ free-throw attempt. I waited impatiently.
However, another video angle from the same sequence (from the game’s Spectrum SportsNet broadcast) provides a broader view of the chain of events before Beverly beckoned Westbrook to join.
First, Westbrook interacted with the umpire who made the call, then Westbrook turned his attention to the Lakers’ bench and discussed defensive possession with LA’s coaching staff. Beverly never caught his attention.
“As for the other video, I was actually talking to the coach and they cut that video in half as well.” plug.
“Honestly, I’m just trying to compete and do my job. Everything, video, crap. You can cut any video and make whatever you want out of it. Judge it.” It’s not up to me, I know, “I’m a real team player. I’ve never had a problem being with my teammates, so I’m going to keep doing what I’m doing.” .”
Beverly told reporters on Thursday that he didn’t know a video of his attempted huddle existed until he was asked after practice.
“If you don’t know something happened, you can’t really deal with not knowing what happened,” Beverly said.
Westbrook has been the target of frustrated Lakers fans since the team acquired him in a trade with the Washington Wizards in the summer of 2021. Injury and overwhelming role player contribution.
Despite a difficult campaign, Westbrook chose to remain in Los Angeles in the final year of his contract, and new coach Durbin Hamm vowed to get more out of the former league MVP this season.
Westbrook expressed disappointment last season that fans mocked his surname, but the 13-year veteran said Thursday that the scrutiny he faces as a member of the Lakers has not been seen anywhere else since entering the NBA. said it’s no different than the spotlight he’s received on . .
“Honestly, it’s been the same throughout my career,” Westbrook said. I’m blessed and grateful to be able to do the extras that come with it.It’s not up to me to be able to make videos and stuff for the internet.I just go out and do my job .
