After his wife took to social media to detail the criticism the family has received, the nine-time All-Star elaborated on the things they’ve been subject to during his first season with the team.
SAN ANTONIO — When it comes to insults, jabs and threats, Russell Westbrook has heard it all. Until recently, he thought he could take it, too.
His 4-year-old son Noah loves his last name, his teacher said. He writes his name everywhere. He says it to people he meets: “I’m Westbrook.” “It’s shaming my name, my legacy for my kids. It’s a name that means, not just to me, but to my wife, to my mom, my dad, the ones that kind of paved the way for me. That’s just one example. That kind of hit myself and my wife in a place where it’s not great. A lot of times, I let it slide. But now it’s time to put a stop to that and put it on notice.”
After a blockbuster trade that brought the SoCal native back home last summer, Westbrook has struggled this season to produce the All-Star-caliber performance suggested by his max-level contract. While the 33-year-old guard said on-court critiques of his shooting performances or mistakes are fair game, he’s been shaken by how his children are caught in the crossfire.