Last Updated:October 21, 2025, 16:00 IST
Renewed reports highlight Westbrook’s turbulent time with LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers.
LeBron James and Russell Westbrook during their LA Lakers days (AFP)
The 2025–26 NBA season officially tips off Tuesday night — and while the league’s future stars take center stage, one veteran name is stealing early headlines for a very different reason: Russell Westbrook.
The former MVP is about to embark on his 18th NBA season, now suiting up for the Sacramento Kings. But before he hits the court again, a resurfaced report has reignited talk about his rocky stint with LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers.
According to Yaron Weitzman of The Ringer, Westbrook struggled with what he saw as the “fake” energy surrounding LeBron’s Lakers during his brief stop in Los Angeles from 2021 to 2023.
In an excerpt from Weitzman’s book “A Hollywood Ending: The Dreams and Drama of The LeBron Lakers,” Westbrook reportedly told a teammate,
“I hate the fake s—,” after an awkward team meeting that involved actor Will Smith addressing the squad.
At the time, the tension was palpable to anyone watching. Westbrook never seemed to fit into LeBron’s vision for the team — his aggressive, ball-dominant style often clashed with the Lakers’ slower, system-heavy approach.
Westbrook In Hollywood: A Box-Office Flop
When the Los Angeles Lakers acquired Russell Westbrook in 2021, it was meant to be a superteam built around LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and the former MVP. Instead, the partnership unraveled quickly, exposing a clash of styles and egos that never truly fit.
Westbrook’s high-energy, ball-dominant play clashed with LeBron’s calculated approach and the team’s need for spacing. His shooting struggles became glaring in a system built around perimeter threats, and the chemistry issues soon spilled beyond the court.
The 2021–22 season ended in disaster — the Lakers finished 33–49, missing the playoffs despite championship aspirations. Westbrook became an easy scapegoat, though injuries and roster instability also played major roles.
By early 2023, the failed experiment ended with a trade, quietly closing a turbulent chapter.
Since leaving L.A., Westbrook has bounced around the league — from the Clippers to the Kings — but has continued to carry his trademark intensity (and blunt honesty) wherever he’s gone.
After training in the field of broadcast media, Siddarth, as a sub-editor for News18 Sports, currently dabbles in putting together stories, from across a plethora of sports, onto a digital canvas. His long-term…Read More
After training in the field of broadcast media, Siddarth, as a sub-editor for News18 Sports, currently dabbles in putting together stories, from across a plethora of sports, onto a digital canvas. His long-term… Read More
First Published:
October 21, 2025, 16:00 IST
News sports ‘I Hate The Fake Sh*t’: Russell Westbrook Calls Out LeBron James; Exposes BTS From Lakers StintDisclaimer: Comments reflect users’ views, not News18’s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
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