Russell Westbrook’s wife Nina continues to be disgruntled over Skip Bayless’ criticism of her husband.
On Friday, Nina tweeted a complaint about the FS1 host mocking Russell by calling him “Westbrick,” which is a play on words involving Westbrook’s last name and his poor shooting tendencies.
Bayless responded a day later and said he would continue to speak the truth about Russell and his poor shooting.
Nina remained annoyed after seeing Bayless’ response and seemed to be brooding. She sent a 9-tweet screed in which she seemed to blame Bayless for bringing such negative attention to herself and her family.
The tweet that received the most attention was when Nina said she and her family were the victims of harassment and “death wishes.” She seemed to blame Bayless for the harassment they’re receiving.
When I’m being harassed on a daily basis over basketball games, and I’m having obscenity’s and death wishes for me and my family sent my way because you’re expressing your “truth”, it’s hard for me to get on board with that.
— Nina Westbrook (@ninawestbrook) March 7, 2022
Nobody should be getting harassed or death wishes. But the insistence that Bayless is responsible for all the hate the Westbrooks are receiving is not only wrong, but also scapegoating.
Additionally, the Westbrooks seem clueless about why they’re receiving so much negative attention compared to the love they were used to getting in Oklahoma City.
The Lakers are the most popular team in the NBA, with millions of passionate fans. Those fans have high standards. And they have especially high standards for a guy making $44 million this season. When Westbrook doesn’t play up to his contract — and he’s not even close to doing so — he’s going to get slammed by the fans and media.
Making $206 million and playing for the Lakers come with plenty of benefits. But the downside is the negative attention is amplified when things aren’t going well.
If the Westbrooks can’t handle the heat of playing in the LA spotlight and not living up to a contract, Russell should give back $40 million, take a buyout, and go come off the bench for a small-market team. You can’t have it both ways, Nina.
Photo: Nov 23, 2021; New York, New York, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Russell Westbrook (0) reacts during the third quarter against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
