Russell explained his view of the videos that went viral of him and his teammates. The time is 1:45.
The veteran guard offered context to debunk any signs of disgruntlement after several videos went viral that appeared to show Russell Westbrook avoiding his teammates during the Lakers' preseason loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
In a video shot from a seat behind the Lakers' bench, Oklahoma City's Russell Westbrook is seen greeting teammates near the foul line during player introductions and then running to the bench alone.
"I've been doing that before the game since I've been in the league, man," he said. The internet is going to take the video and run with whatever it needs to run with. I've been doing the same thing since I joined the league.
The wife of Oklahoma City's Russell Westbrook responded to a user who showed photos and videos of him following the same pre-game ritual on other teams by writing, "Smh... and it begins...".
Smh... and it begins...
— Nina Westbrook (@ninawestbrook) October 13, 2022
Another video, which was clipped from the broadcast and shared widely on social media, showed Patrick Beverley gathering his teammates for an on-court huddle after a foul was called on him early in the third quarter, but he didn't join in with the rest of the team.
The Spectrum SportsNet broadcast of the game shows a different video angle from the same sequence, which gives a better view of the chain of events that preceded Beverley's call.
The referee who made the call, as well as the Lakers' bench and the L.A.'s coaching staff, were topics of discussion between the two men. He didn't pay much attention to Beverly.
"As far as the other video, I was talking to the coaches and they cut that video in half as well," he stated. I was talking to the coaching staff about a missed coverage. I don't pay much attention to it.
I'm just trying to do my job Everything gets critiqued. You can use the video to make whatever you want. I can't judge that. I know I'm a good teammate. I've never had a problem with my teammates, so I'm going to keep doing what I've been doing.
After practice, he was asked about the video of the attempted huddle and he said he didn't know about it.
If I don't know what happened, I can't address it.
Since the Lakers acquired him in a trade with the Wizards in the summer of 2021, fans have been frustrated by his inconsistent play and the team's inability to make the playoffs.
New coach Darvin Ham has promised to get more out of the former league Most Valuable Player this season, despite the fact that he opted in to the final year of his contract to remain in L.A.
The 13-year veteran said Thursday that the scrutiny he faces as a member of the Lakers doesn't differ from the scrutiny he has been under in other spots.
Through my career, that has been the same for me. I'm familiar with it. I've been used to it. I've been blessed and thankful to be able to keep my head down and compete. Whatever comes with it comes with it. I don't have to be able to make videos and stuff for the internet. I go out and work.
All Rights Reserved © 2024
