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Reading: Russell Westbrook Opens Up On The Impact Of Last Season On His Family: “That Was The Most Difficult… Being Booed In The Arena And Having My Kids There.”
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Home > NBA News & Analysis > Russell Westbrook Opens Up On The Impact Of Last Season On His Family: “That Was The Most Difficult… Being Booed In The Arena And Having My Kids There.”

Russell Westbrook Opens Up On The Impact Of Last Season On His Family: “That Was The Most Difficult… Being Booed In The Arena And Having My Kids There.”

Russell Westbrook opened up on the struggles he faced with the Los Angeles Lakers last season and how it impacted him and his family.

Ishaan Bhattacharya
Sep 26, 2022
4 Min Read
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Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Russell Westbrook is coming off arguably the worst season of his NBA career. The 2008 draftee was supposed to complete a big three on the Lakers with LeBron James and Anthony Davis, but health and fit issues have really held the Lakers back as they missed the playoffs last season with Westbrook on the court for most of the season.

Due to the championship-winning expectations put on the Lakers last season, Westbrook had an incredibly tough time defending himself from the Lakers fanbase who was extremely disappointed with him. This led to Westbrook being audibly booed when taking shots inside the Crypto.com Arena. The former MVP opened up to ESPN about his mixed feelings from a very tough personal season for the star and its impact on his family.

“No, I didn’t have to fight that,” Westbrook said. “I had to fight my response on how it affects the people close to me. To me, that was the important part. Confidence is not something I lack. Yes, there were times last season that I wanted to play better — that I should’ve played better — but my confidence never wavers. Having bad games is part of the NBA, and I understand that.

“The only thing it affected for me was the impact that it had on the people closest to me — my mom, dad, wife, brother, close friends. We’ve never had to deal with that as a family. That was the most difficult thing — being booed in the arena and having my kids there.

“I’d look over at my wife, my parents, and try to get them to know that it’s OK. Having played so long in the league, I’m more accustomed to it. But with COVID, the bubble, they had only been able to see a few games in the last two years. So [last] year, it’s super exciting and then it’s like, ‘Oh s—. This is no fun for me.’ …

“Being able to play at home, that became a dream come true. But honestly, I didn’t look forward to it as much for me as I did all the people who I grew up with, people in the community. … But it wasn’t exactly how I planned it all to be [last year].””The only thing it affected for me was the impact that it had on the people closest to me — my mom, dad, wife, brother, close friends. We’ve never had to deal with that as a family. That was the most difficult thing — being booed in the arena and having my kids there.” (h/t ESPN)


Russell Westbrook’s Tough Time With The Lakers

Players expect to be booed on away games but not at home by their own fans. Russ had to adjust to those challenges and will return to the Lakers this season knowing that many fans wanted him traded away this summer for role-players like Myles Turner and Buddy Hield. 

He is going to have to change his playing style to have a chance in the competitive Lakers guard rotation that has been bolstered by the additions of Patrick Beverley and Dennis Schroder. Russ is still the best PG on paper on the team, but he needs to deliver on the court once again to get that respect given to him.

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ByIshaan Bhattacharya
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Ishaan Bhattacharya is a content manager for Fadeaway World from New Delhi, India. With his expertise in NBA content creation, Ishaan brings a wealth of experience to his role, contributing to the site's authority and reach within the basketball community. Over the last year, Ishaan has interviewed Ray Allen and Mark Tatum, while also covering the 2023 NBA Abu Dhabi Games which saw the Dallas Mavericks take on the Minnesota Timberwolves.Since joining Fadeaway World in March 2022, Ishaan Bhattacharya has become known for his unique perspective on the NBA. He consistently delivers this insight through his daily news coverage and detailed opinion pieces on the most significant topics in the league.Before his tenure at Fadeaway World, Ishaan worked in corporate communications, where he serviced prominent sports brands, including NBA India, Sports18, Amazon Prime Sports, and Royal Challengers Bangalore. This experience in strategic communications for leading sports entities has enhanced his ability to craft impactful narratives and connect with a global audience.A true MFFLer (Mavs Fan for Life, for the uninitiated), Ishaan is a massive fan of the Dallas Mavericks. When he is not upset about Jalen Brunson walking in free agency, you can see Ishaan as an avid gamer and content creator. His passion for basketball extends beyond the Mavericks, as evidenced by his thoughtfully curated NBA Mount Rushmore, featuring LeBron James, Michael Jordan, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Bill Russell—each representing distinct eras and bringing their unique qualities to the game.Featured On: ESPN, Sports Illustrated, Bleacher Report, Yahoo Sports, NBA, Fox Sports, The Spun
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