Russell Westbrook on 'Westbrick' chants: 'When my name is getting shamed, it becomes an issue' / News - Basketnews.com

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At his best, Russell Westbrook is flashing brilliance on the basketball court. At his worst, his shots don't even hit the rim and his shooting percentage is below 20%. As a result, NBA fans have been mocking the player's performance throughout the recent years.

Russell Westbrook

MIN:34.36PTS:18.13 (48.98%)REB:7.62As:7.19ST:0.98BL:0.25TO:3.95GM:63ProfileNBA2021/2022

Several days ago, Westbrook's wife Nina posted an emotional message on Twitter, criticizing media commentator Skip Bayless and defending his husband. She once again launched a series of tweets before tonight's Los Angeles Lakers game against the San Antonio Spurs with the same notion.

"I 100% stand behind my wife and how she's feeling," Westbrook told the media after the loss to the Spurs last night. "When it comes to basketball, I don't mind the criticism of missing and making shots. But the moment it becomes where my name is getting shamed, it becomes an issue."

"I've kind of let it go in the past because it never really bothered me. But, it really kind of hit me the other day," the Lakers guard continued. "Me and my wife were at teacher-parent conferences for my son. And the teacher told me, 'Noah, he's so proud of his last name. He writes it everywhere. He writes it on everything. He tells everybody and walks around and says, 'I'm Westbrook.' ...And I kind of sat there in shock and it hit me like, 'Damn. I can no longer allow people [besmirch my name].'"

"'Westbrick' for example, to me, is now shaming," he said, referring to a nickname fans call him online seemingly whenever he has a worse performance. "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."

"A lot of times, I let it slide. But now it's time to put a stop to that and put it on notice," Westbrook said. "There's a difference. We need to make sure it's understood. And every time I do hear it now, I will make sure that I address it and make sure I nip that in the bud."

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