LeBron James & Lakers Stint Blamed for Russell Westbrook’s Negative Narrative on Media, Per NBA Legend

Russell Westbrook closed an 18-year career with a silent farewell video narrated by Michael B. Jordan. Praises and criticism followed shortly, and a former player then gave his take on why the criticism never left him.

Jeff Teague reacted on Club 520 to Patrick Beverley’s claim that the media “killed” Westbrook’s game, and pointed the conversation back to the one constant in that Lakers chapter: LeBron James.

“It’s hard sometimes when you a superstar; I can’t really speak to that. I’ve never been to them levels, but I could only imagine being a superstar,” Teague said (h/t) NBA Courtside. “When he went to the Lakers, Bron was the guy, so somebody got to take the criticism."

"Anytime you go to LeBron’s team, it’s going to be somebody else that’s getting the criticism even though LeBron gets criticized a whole bunch, but he always plays so well that if you not on his level, people going to start blaming you,” he added.

Westbrook arrived in Los Angeles as a former MVP and walked into a team led by James. Teague’s point is that the spotlight around LeBron James is so intense, and his production so consistent, that any co-star who falls short of that standard becomes the easiest target for fans, talk shows, and eventually front offices.

There is a fair reason why Westbrook's stint with the Lakers alongside James was deemed disastrous. The tactical fit alongside LeBron James, coupled with severe roster-building constraints was one of the main reason's in Westbrook consistently faltering during that time. Furthermore, besides issues around ball-dominance, Westbrook often struggled with off-ball defense, which drained the team's overall defensive intensity.

Teague's words matched what Beverley said a day earlier. There were years of name-calling and narrative-building that changed how owners and general managers viewed Westbrook, even after a productive final season in Sacramento.

Joining LeBron James meant he inherited a role that had already overwhelmed other stars. And somebody had to absorb the blame, and in that locker room, it was Westbrook.

Why Joining LeBron James Changed How Russell Westbrook Was Seen

The Lakers pairing was never just a basketball experiment. It was a collision of two identities: Westbrook’s need to attack and James’ established place as the franchise’s cornerstone.

Teague argued that fans and teammates naturally rally around “the guy.” And in Los Angeles, that guy was never going to be anyone but LeBron James. Once the results lagged, the criticism did not spread evenly. It went to any player who was not James.

Westbrook still left the league as the all-time triple-double leader. A nine-time All-Star and a 2017 MVP. He had offers this summer from the Kings and Wizards before choosing to retire.

Beverley insisted that his résumé should have been enough to keep him employed. Teague’s take was that the media may have amplified the noise, but the structure around LeBron James made Westbrook the problem.