“Media Killed” Russell Westbrook’s Game, Claims Ex-Lakers Teammate After Shock Retirement

It seems like Russell Westbrook can't catch a break from the criticism from veteran analyst Skip Bayless, even after calling it a career. Bayless doubled-down on his criticism, calling Westbrook's career “all-time selfish, inefficient basketball” which has sparked reactions across the league. One of Westbrook's former teammate, who actually shared a locker room with that player has a very different take on how that reputation got built in the first place.

Patrick Beverley pushed back on the narrative that’s followed Russell Westbrook for over a decade. 

“I think the media is so strong that it allowed fans to call him names," Beverley said (h/t) NBA Courtside. "It allowed fans to have opinions about his game, which also forced team owners, GMs, presidents to look at him a certain way."

“No disrespect to guys that’s on current teams, but when you talk about you see Lonnie Walker — no disrespect to Lonnie Walker, he’s a good friend of mine — but if he can make an NBA team, Russell Westbrook can make an NBA team without a doubt,” he added.

Beverley previously admitted to being part of the problem himself. Back in 2022, he acknowledged that his own past comments on Westbrook had “damaged” his career and shaped how the rest of the league viewed his ability. The two later became teammates on the Lakers and squashed their beef.

Describing 2022-23 season under first-year coach Darvin Ham, Beverley recalled the confusion of watching Westbrook lose his spot in the rotation to far less accomplished players.

“It was hard. You have a first-year coach in Darvin Ham. You got me starting," Beverley said. "Russ is on the bench. AR is starting, Bron is starting, AD is starting. All of a sudden, we get f—ing Lonnie Walker starting?”

Despite the hubbub around him and the relative demotion, Westbrook still managed to average 15.9 points and 7.5 assists that season. Yet, he was traded away midseason regardless.

“Only person who was taking the punches was Russ,” Beverley added. "Regardless of the effort he gave on the court or the sacrifices he made.”

The comments arrive at a moment when Westbrook’s exit still feels sudden to many. The 37-year-old announced his retirement with a social-media video that featured career highlights and actor Michael B. Jordan’s narration but no spoken words from Westbrook himself.

He simply wrote, “Sometimes you don’t even know when you’ve already watched the end. You had to be there. And now it’s over.” Reports later confirmed that he had received offers from the Sacramento Kings and Washington Wizards before choosing to step away on his own terms.

Westbrook retires as the NBA’s all-time leader in triple-doubles (209) and a member of the league’s 75th Anniversary Team. He finished fifth in career assists and 14th in scoring, which almost certainly guarantees him as a first ballot Hall of Famer.