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

Russell Westbrook ended his NBA career with a video narrated by Michael B. Jordan, sparking both praise and criticism. A former player then shared insights on why the criticism persisted. Jeff Teague, reacting to Patrick Beverley’s claim that the media ‘killed’ Westbrook’s game, linked the issue back to LeBron James. Teague argued that Westbrook’s stint with the Lakers was overshadowed by James’ dominance, making Westbrook the target for criticism. He noted that any player not at LeBron’s level became the focus of blame. Westbrook arrived in Los Angeles as an MVP and joined a team led by James, who was already the franchise’s cornerstone. Teague explained that fans and teammates rally around ‘the guy,’ and in Los Angeles, that was always LeBron James. When results lagged, the criticism shifted to Westbrook, who struggled with tactical fit and defensive roles alongside James. Beverley echoed this, stating that the media amplified the noise but the structure around LeBron James made Westbrook the problem. Despite his achievements—triple-double leader, nine-time All-Star, and 2017 MVP—Westbrook faced scrutiny even after a productive final season in Sacramento. Joining LeBron James meant inheriting a role that overwhelmed other stars, and in the locker room, Westbrook absorbed the blame.