Russell Westbrook has had a very tumultuous year with the Los Angeles Lakers, and there’s no doubt that he’s received a lot of criticisms from media and fans. Many people have pointed out his poor fit with stars Anthony Davis and LeBron James as one of the reasons for the Lakers’ struggles this season.
Recently, Russell Westbrook’s wife Nina Westbrook has revealed that the Westbrook family has received harassment and death threats from fans as a result of Westbrook getting criticized in the media.
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.
Lakers legend Magic Johnson has recently sent a message of support to the Westbrook family and called out Lakers fans for their actions. He stated that “threats and attacks” from fans towards Russell Westbrook and his family “are completely unacceptable and will not be tolerated”. Magic Johnson also stated that Russell Westbrook “will be a key component” to the Lakers’ success for the rest of the season.
Laker Nation, it's our responsibility to come together and support Russell Westbrook and his family. Threats and attacks on the Westbrook family are completely unacceptable and will not be tolerated. There's no place in sports for this type of behavior, period. @russwest44
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) March 8, 2022
Russell plays an important role on the @Lakers team and will be a key component to the success of the rest of the season and the NBA Playoffs. Let's do better, rally around the Westbrook family, and support them. @russwest44
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) March 8, 2022
Laker Nation, it’s our responsibility to come together and support Russell Westbrook and his family. Threats and attacks on the Westbrook family are completely unacceptable and will not be tolerated. There’s no place in sports for this type of behavior, period.
Russell plays an important role on the Lakers team and will be a key component to the success of the rest of the season and the NBA Playoffs. Let’s do better, rally around the Westbrook family, and support them.
There is no scenario where death threats towards a player are acceptable. Hopefully, we see a reduction in that sort of behavior from Lakers fans in the future, and perhaps Magic Johnson’s words support for the family will help with the situation.
Hopefully, we see Russell Westbrook shut up the haters with his performances in the future. He is still a very solid playmaker and finisher at the rim. Russell Westbrook can still help the Lakers salvage the season, and we’ll see if he can do so in the coming weeks.
