Commentator calls out LeBron James’ Lakers team for making Russell Westbrook ‘scapegoat’ for disaster season
LeBron James faced criticism from Celtics commentators over Russell Westbrook's turbulent stint with the Lakers.
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Russell Westbrook and LeBron James for the Lakers
The Denver Nuggets’ new addition, Russell Westbrook, has faced plenty of criticism throughout his career, playing for several NBA teams. His toughest stint came with the Los Angeles Lakers, where, despite teaming up with LeBron James and Anthony Davis, the team endured one of its worst seasons.
Westbrook faced heavy criticism from Lakers fans for his performances before eventually joining the Los Angeles Clippers. Recently, Boston Celtics analysts Drew Carter and Brian Scalabrine argued he took undeserved blame, calling him a scapegoat. During the Celtics vs. Nuggets preseason broadcast, they even took jabs at LeBron James.
But I’ll tell you what? I am rooting for him (Russell Westbrook) to make like nine threes against the Lakers because he got a lot of heat for that. That was a disaster team and he got all the heat for that whole thing. So I’m kind of hoping that he can make a bunch of threes against that team.
Brian Scalabrine said during the game
To which fellow commentator Carter gave the conversation another turn.
You’re telling me one of LeBron’s teammates became a scapegoat out of nowhere?
Drew Carter said
Scalabrine responded to Carter, stating, “Yeah, I know it’s crazy right.”
Debate surrounds who’s truly responsible for Westbrook being scapegoated, though many fans blame him. Carter and Scalabrine, however, sarcastically pointed the finger at LeBron James, a sentiment not lost on viewers. They noted how James’ teams often seem to find a scapegoat when expectations aren’t met.
Damian Lillard once shared his take on Russell Westbrook’s ‘unfair’ criticism
Russell Westbrook has emerged as one of the league’s most hated players in recent years, despite his tendency to put up big numbers. During parts of his two-year tenure with the Los Angeles Lakers, Westbrook experienced the most criticism.
Giving his thoughts on the matter and despite their intense rivalry, NBA player Damian Lillard once came out in favor of Westbrook. Lillard backed Westbrook against critics who claimed he had lost his talent when he discussed it on the Back on Figg podcast.
The fact that people talk on his name and how they be just making him an easy target and a subject, that s**t is just crazy to me.
Damian Lillard said
Damian Lillard believes criticism hasn’t greatly impacted Westbrook’s on-court play, despite recent struggles. Instead, Lillard thinks Westbrook’s biggest challenges during his Lakers stint were off the court.
After signing with the Clippers, Westbrook seemed to regain his form, and he has now joined the Denver Nuggets.
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Kartik Mudaliar
(796 Articles Published)