When the Los Angeles Lakers traded Russell Westbrook in a three-team deal last Wednesday, a sizable contingent of their fans celebrated or at the very least breathed a huge sigh of relief.
Although Westbrook is clearly a better player than some Lakers partisans would argue, his inability to hit shots outside the paint and tendency to sometimes commit careless turnovers created problems for the team.
Then there was the matter of his attitude, which, according to reports, was poor in his final days with the team. In fact, ESPN’s Dave McMenamin quoted a source as saying Westbrook’s departure was like removing “a vampire from the locker room.”
Westbrook’s wife, Nina, had something to say about such reports.
Via Sports Illustrated:
“This is just sick ESPN,” Westbrook wrote. “Russell is no vampire. This is also slander because anyone who knows anything knows that this couldn’t be further from the truth. On a personal note, I have school aged children who have to listen to their peers repeat the nasty things that you guys say on television about their father. I guess I will prepare myself to explain to my 5 year old that his dad is not actually a vampire, and that major news outlets only say things like that to get attention.”
Whether one liked or hated the former league MVP as a Lakers fan, his tenure with the team is now past, and the franchise will have to reset itself mentally, emotionally and spiritually, especially with five new players that must be integrated.
