During and after a miserable season that was thought to have a lot of promise, Los Angeles Lakers guard Russell Westbrook has been the subject of lots of criticism and scapegoating.
Many fans have acted like he is the sole reason L.A. failed to reach the play-in tournament after being expected to contend for the NBA championship.
Now, the nine-time All-Star has posted an audio clip on Instagram to reference how he has been dealing with his critics.
Via Lakers Daily:
“I learned when I was younger, you can’t put your expectations of me on me,” the speaker from the audio says. “I’m me, you feel me? You not ever gon’ make me feel bad for it. You not gon’ make me react to how you reacting to me. I don’t care, I’m me.”
Russell Westbrook just posted this on Instagram 🏁
(h/t @AhnFireDigital ) pic.twitter.com/YISMAPKEzJ
— NBACentral (@TheNBACentral) April 28, 2022
Recently, Westbrook also deleted all content on Instagram that had anything to do with the Purple and Gold, making it seem like he is getting one step closer to leaving the team.
If his heart has been broken after coming to his hometown (he is originally from the Southland and graduated from Leuzinger High School) and playing for the team he grew up rooting for, he hasn’t shown it.
Westbrook is mentally tough and stubborn, and some would say those qualities are double-edged swords for him.
