THE SECOND, Calif. — After several videos went viral in which it appeared that Russell Westbrook was intentionally distancing himself from teammates during the Los Angeles Lakers’ preseason loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday, the veteran guard offered context to discredit any sign of discord
In a video, shot on a phone by Instagram user Michael Morales from a seat behind the Lakers’ bench, Westbrook is seen waving to teammates near the free throw line during player introductions and then running alone to the bench, as the Lakers huddled together.
“Before the game, I’ve been doing that since I’ve been in the league for years,” Westbrook said after Thursday’s practice. “I think they just cut the video and obviously the internet is going to take it and run whatever they need to run. But I’ve been doing the same ritual since I’ve been in the league.”
Westbrook’s wife, Nina, responded to a Twitter user who showed multiple photos and videos of Westbrook, in fact, going through the same solo pre-game ritual on other teams he’s played for, writing, “Smh… and starts…”.
smh… and it begins…
— Nina Westbrook (@ninawestbrook) October 13, 2022
Another video, cut from the ESPN broadcast and shared widely on Twitter, showed Patrick Beverley gathering his teammates for an on-court meeting following a foul by Westbrook early in the third quarter and Westbrook lining up in rebounding position outside of the lane to wait for the Wolves. ‘ free throw attempts, instead of participating.
However, another video angle of the same sequence, from Spectrum SportsNet’s broadcast of the game, provides a broader view of the chain of events that preceded Beverley inviting Westbrook to join.
First, Westbrook engaged in a dialogue with the referee who made the call, and then Westbrook turned his attention to the Lakers’ bench to discuss defensive possession with the Los Angeles coaching staff. Beverley never caught his eye.
“As for the other video, I was actually talking to the coaches and they cut that video in half as well,” Westbrook said. “She was talking to the coaches about a missed coverage. So, I don’t pay attention to it, man.
“Honestly, I’m just trying to compete and do my job. Everything, the videos, get criticized. You can cut any video and do whatever you want with it. It’s not up to me to be able to judge that. I know I’m a real team player. Never I’ve had trouble being with my teammates, so I’m going to keep doing what I’ve been doing.”
Beverley told reporters Thursday that he didn’t know the video of the attempted crowding existed until he was asked about it after practice.
“If I don’t know something happened, then I can’t really address something I don’t know happened,” Beverley said.
Westbrook has been the target of frustrated Lakers fans since the team acquired him in a trade with the Washington Wizards in the summer of 2021, as LA missed the playoffs last season with his lopsided play adding to a lots of team struggles that included injuries and disappointing player contributions.
Despite the difficult campaign, Westbrook opted to remain in Los Angeles for the final year of his contract, with new coach Darvin Ham vowing to get more out of the former league MVP this season.
While Westbrook expressed dismay at how fans mocked his last name last season, the 13-year veteran said Thursday that the scrutiny he faces as a member of the Lakers is no different from the spotlight he’s had elsewhere since. who entered the NBA. .
“That’s been the same for me, honestly, man, throughout my career,” Westbrook said. “I’m very used to it. And I’m very used to it. That’s why I’ve been blessed and grateful to be able to keep playing every year and keep my head down and keep competing. And whatever comes with the extra stuff comes with that. It’s not up to me. being able to make videos and stuff for the internet. I just go out there and do my job.”
Source: news.google.com