Russell Westbrook has had a pretty rough season in Los Angeles, and fans have not been shy about letting him know about it.
Almost every single day, social media feeds are flooded with posts from angry fans, demanding better from Russ and calling for the Lakers to trade him.
Unfortunately, it doesn’t stop there.
As Westbrook’s wife, Nina, revealed in a recent post, her family has been getting death threats over Russ’ play, prompting her to issue a response to some clearly immature haters and the guy who is fueling them (Skip Bayless).
When I’m being harassed on a daily basis over basketball games, and I’m having obscenity’s and death wishes for me and my family sent my way because you’re expressing your “truth”, it’s hard for me to get on board with that.
When I’m being harassed on a daily basis over basketball games, and I’m having obscenity’s and death wishes for me and my family sent my way because you’re expressing your “truth”, it’s hard for me to get on board with that.
— Nina Westbrook (@ninawestbrook) March 7, 2022
NAME CALLING or STEREOTYPING: Giving a person or an idea a bad label by using an easy to remember pejorative name. This is used to make us reject and condemn a person or idea without examining what the label really means.
— Nina Westbrook (@ninawestbrook) March 7, 2022
Criticism
Crit·i·cism
/ˈkridəˌsizəm/
noun
the expression of disapproval of someone or something based on perceived faults or mistakes.
— Nina Westbrook (@ninawestbrook) March 7, 2022
Sometimes, the internet can bring out the worst in the NBA community. The worst is exactly what we’ve been seeing from fans in response to the whole Russ situation.
Sadly, though, fans aren’t the only ones engaging in a verbal battle with the Westbrook family. Skip Bayless is apparently to blame as well.
This whole thing started when Nina called out FOX Sports analyst Skip Bayless for some of the negative things he has said over the past few weeks and months.
“Mr. Bayless. I’m a real person. If you’re able to use your platform to degrade my husband and constantly call him out of his name then at least be adult enough to deal with the consequences of your actions. Don’t try to erase me from your reality to make yourself feel better about your choice.
I’m still here. There’s no need to block me. Just be respectful, and I have no reason to respond or remind you of your reckless choices. Just do better.”
There is no doubt that the Lakers have been extremely disappointing this season, and Russ has been a huge part of that. His shooting struggles and defensive lapses on the court have come with disagreements and altercations in the locker room. All the while, he claps back against any fan who dares to challenge his game.
But basketball is never a reason to issue death threats to anybody. Some of those who have gotten caught up in the drama of this wild season seem to have forgotten that.
