Russell Westbrook’s tenure with the Los Angeles Lakers was far from the best in his career.
Despite being the team’s second-leading scorer in his first year, he was mistreated by many fans.
Then, he was pretty much salary-dumped in a trade that gave the Lakers more depth, but the reports after his departure were as disrespectful as they were uncalled for.
Someone allegedly even claimed that Westbrook was a ‘vampire’ in the locker room and a toxic person, which is pretty much the opposite of what his former teammates have ever said about him.
Notably, that includes Austin Reaves, who recently called him one of the best teammates he’s ever had.
“He’s one of the best teammates I’ve ever had… I got Covid December of my rookie year in Minnesota. He reached out 3 or 4 times, asked if I need anything, offered to send me stuff.”
Austin Reaves on Russell Westbrook 💯
(via @shobasketball)pic.twitter.com/ZGWv40k74W
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) July 20, 2023
In his appearance on Matt Barnes’ and Stephen Jackson’s ‘All The Smoke,’ Reaves shed light on how Westbrook reached out to him multiple times when he had Covid and what a good teammate he was overall.
Everyone has always raved about how good of a teammate Westbrook is.
He hands out gifts and has a genuine interest in the players and his loved ones.
Yet, some fans seemed determined to make him look like a selfish person.
Westbrook is a future first-ballot Hall of Famer, and it’s a shame some will never give him the respect he’s due, both as a player and a person.
NEXT:
Austin Reaves Reveals He Was Close To Joining 2 Other Teams In Free Agency
