USA Today via Reuters
Jan 7, 2022; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Russell Westbrook (0) reacts after scoring a basket and drawing the foul against the Atlanta Hawks during the first half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
USA Today via Reuters
Jan 7, 2022; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Russell Westbrook (0) reacts after scoring a basket and drawing the foul against the Atlanta Hawks during the first half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Former Lakers star, Nick Young a.k.a. Swaggy P, took to Instagram yesterday to respond to NBA fans who have made a diss track for Russell Westbrook and the LA Lakers. This diss track was posted on the House of Highlights Instagram page.
Defending Westbrook, Young commented, “That’s why they losing because ppl show hate more them love this man Russ is a first ballot Hall of Famer and y’all been talking about him like he tony snell lol no disrespect”.
Watch What’s Trending Now!
View this post on Instagram
Nick Young vocally signaled that Lakers have been facing a slump because fans have been hating instead of appreciating the team. The 36-YO defended Westbrook by bringing up Tony Snell, who is infamous for playing 28 minutes and 25 seconds without recording any points, assists, steals, blocks or rebounds against the Jazz.
USA Today via Reuters
Sep 28, 2021; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Russell Westbrook (0) answers questions during media day at the UCLA Health and Training Center in El Segundo, Calif. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
How has 2021-22 been for the Lakers?
Lakers, coming off a loss against the Nuggets on Sunday, stand at 21 wins and 22 losses in the current season. They stand at the very risky 7th position in the Western Conference. Clearly, fans are not happy with their current performance and are looking for someone to blame.
Russell Westbrook made his NBA debut with the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2008. However, in 2019, he departed the Thunder for the Houston Rockets, where he only lasted one season. After leaving the Rockets, he returned to the Washington Wizards for a single season. Finally in 2021, Westbrook joined Lebron James, Anthony Davis and the Lakers.
USA Today via Reuters
Oct 29, 2021; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (6) guard Russell Westbrook (0) and forward Anthony Davis (3) watch game action against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the second half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Fans were optimistic to see the Big 3 of the Lakers after Westbrook’s signing in the offseason. However, injuries have again plagued the team and the Big 3 remains a dream. As of right now, Westbrook has the worst field goal percentage and free throw percentage out of the three.
Needless to say, Lakers fans are unhappy with their current performance. The response by Nick Young comes just after the feud between Russell Westbrook’s brother, Ray Westbrook, and Laker fans on Twitter.
Watch this story: Best NBA Rivalries of All Time
It remains to be seen what sort of improvements the Lakers make going forward, will they stick to small ball and the current lineup, or make some desperate trades before the deadline on February 10th.
