These days, seemingly no one feels sorry for Russell Westbrook.
He was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers last summer, and he probably thought he was coming home to the Southland to play for the team he rooted for growing up and compete for an NBA championship.
Instead, it all fell apart, as the Lakers missed the play-in tournament and Westbrook became the main scapegoat. Some of the criticism he has received has been over the top or even uncalled for.
Although “Inside The NBA” analyst Charles Barkley agrees with most observers that the Lakers need to trade Westbrook, he also said they have taken the “joy out of life and basketball” for the former league MVP.
"It's time for the Lakers to move on… They have taken all his joy out of life and basketball."
Chuck goes off on Russell Westbrook with the Lakers pic.twitter.com/ktevt7J0ns
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) October 19, 2022
“It’s time for the Lakers to move him,” Barkley said on TNT. “They have taken all his joy out of life and basketball. … He doesn’t look … this guy used to be so exuberant, play with great energy and great emotion. I think the wear and tear mentally, last year, starting this year, playing with Patrick Beverley … and the thing is he’s going to get the blame no matter what because the Lakers aren’t a championship contender.”
Westbrook is a kindler and gentler soul than he appears, and at times last season, it almost seemed as if he had become heartbroken.