Russell Westbrook doesn’t mind criticism. Honestly, a lot of times this season, he actually deserved it with how he played.
There were times where he probably received too much blame for the Lakers’ woes last season, but no one will tell you that he actually played well for the team. He was well below his standard.
So, sure. If you want to drop a critique and tell him how bad his jump? Cool. He’s totally OK with that.
But calling him “Westbrick” as some fans did last season? That’s totally off-limits for him. He explained why he takes so much pride in his name last season and why he won’t allow people to sully it.
So when Skip Bayless called him “Westbrick” online for everyone to see it, you just knew Westbrook was going to respond. And that’s exactly what he did.
In an incredibly silly tweet, Bayless called the Lakers out for drafting Max Christie, who isn’t the best shooter in the world. So Bayless said he’d fit right in with “LeBron and Westbrick.”
Lakers acquire a 2nd-round pick, take Michigan State's Max Christie, who shot only 32% from 3 last season. Perfect! He'll fit right in with LeBron and Westbrick.
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) June 24, 2022
Russ was absolutely not having it. At all.
Yoooo… watch your mouth. Don’t say anything here you wouldn’t say to my face. https://t.co/0u8nFXYLY8
— Russell Westbrook (@russwest44) June 25, 2022
“Watch your mouth. Don’t say anything here you wouldn’t say to my face.”
Good on Russ. You wish he didn’t tweet back at Bayless because this is all bait to just create new content for his show next week. Giving him the satisfaction probably isn’t worth it considering how this is the same man who sat on national television calling Chris Bosh out of his name for years. He wants this drama. He wants the response.
But still, no one can blame Westbrook for literally defending his name. He’s absolutely right to.
The internet was in total support of him, too.
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Pretty good rule for this whole platform tbh https://t.co/M5MdwjXXn3
— Jason Kander (@JasonKander) June 25, 2022
He only rips people in a studio , where he can hide. Trust me , I experienced it from this waterboy. https://t.co/55sFRRzN0A
— Eddie A Johnson (@Jumpshot8) June 25, 2022
The energy is NEVER the same in person! EVER! lol https://t.co/fdk7Xg4UIS
— Jalen Ramsey (@jalenramsey) June 25, 2022
Y’all wondering why former players are coming in to the media space with a chip on their shoulders. They tired of this 🤬 https://t.co/VUN7Yt6bi4
— Richard Jefferson (@Rjeff24) June 25, 2022
lol Eff a skip bayless https://t.co/aQcHz6f48F pic.twitter.com/gw3RuejwnU
— Selena (@salinisalazini) June 25, 2022
Does this look like a guy that wouldn’t say it to yo face https://t.co/v8I3AlqPHJ pic.twitter.com/USvdP99mIN
— JM🦅 (@J6ers) June 25, 2022
"don't say anything here you wouldn't say to my face."
YES SIR🪖🍻 https://t.co/oURur8pS1Y pic.twitter.com/HnCIiM2u79— AlirezaZ (@AwlirezaZ) June 25, 2022
Let's goooooooooo boy https://t.co/UIrhpHv7z3 pic.twitter.com/SFb9dcWQP6
— Rizzo (@desoye__) June 25, 2022
Paul George backs up Russell Westbrook in his response to Skip Bayless 👀 https://t.co/MqYKNR1Q3Q pic.twitter.com/g3FbYe3ePC
— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) June 25, 2022
https://t.co/yoGwfjntqU pic.twitter.com/E8DyMXnxGn
— Don Povia (@HHReynolds) June 25, 2022
Put some Respect on the former League MVP's Name https://t.co/gTtgV6tA03 pic.twitter.com/g3tKRGRrc2
— HakeemVBH (@IamCapitalC) June 25, 2022