Even as a Clipper, there’s a lingering feeling of resentment between Russell Westbrook and his former team. After nearly two seasons as a Laker, and getting blamed for practically everything that was wrong with the team, Russ was traded in what became an ugly divorce.
So it’s no surprise that even weeks after the big trade, the Westbrook family is quietly rooting for them to fail. On Twitter, Russ’ brother, Ray, became the latest to take a shot at the Purple and Gold after he liked a Tweet that took a major shot at Lakers newcomer D’Angelo Russell (who shot 29% in a loss to the Mavericks).
Russell Westbrook’s brother praying on the Lakers downfall 💀 pic.twitter.com/ROoL4P5eXI
— LakeShowYo (@LakeShowYo) March 18, 2023
It’s no mystery why the Westbrook family might have a bone to pick with the Lakers organization. After bringing him in to play with LeBron James and Anthony Davis, the team (and the fans) turned on him when things started going south.
Sadly, Russ hasn’t found too much success with the Clippers, either, but the relationship there isn’t nearly as toxic as it was with the Lakeshow.
What Went Wrong Between Westbrook And The Lakers?
The truth is, Russ was never going to be a good fit with the Lakers. As a driving point guard who excels when the ball is in his hands, it’s not a shock to anyone that he struggled to find his stride as a Laker.
Ultimately, though, it was the feeling in the locker room that doomed the experiment to failure.
“This was the time to do it. Russell Westbrook was not going to be part of this team after the summer when his contract expired, and also when his contract came off the books, the Lakers would have less money to deal with in the free agency period this summer,” reported ESPN’s Dave McMenamin after the Westbrook trade. “You get younger, you got shooting, you got switchable defenders, and as one source told me, you remove a vampire from the locker room. That meaning, a vampire sucks the blood out of the locker room. Russell Westbrook moves on.”
Obviously, things were toxic for the Lakers, and they were never going to move on with Westbrook on the team.
Now there is a chance they could reunite in the playoffs as opposition, which will surely be an amazing show to see.
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