Russell Westbrook has faced criticism for the vast majority of his NBA career for many reasons. With the Los Angeles Lakers, that criticism has reached its highest volume. He has been the primary face of a season defined by miserably underperforming.
The Lakers' latest embarrassment came at the hands of the LA Clippers. Westbrook got shown up by Reggie Jackson in a 132-111 defeat. He finished the game with 17 points, eight rebounds and three assists. Losses with brutal moments are nothing new for the Lakers this season.
Los Angeles has been the target of roasts and disses left and right this season, with most of it pointed at their highly inconsistent floor general. Still, Westbrook isn't fazed by the team's struggles. He dismissed the idea of the season being over and insisted after the Lakers' loss that he has been hearing critics his whole life.




Russell Westbrook: "I've been hearing critics since I was born."
— Michael Corvo (@michaelcorvo_) March 4, 2022
Although the confidence from Westbrook is commendable, it hasn't done anything to soothe the Lakers' troubles. His play this season has yet to see a resolution. Head coach Frank Vogel didn't rule out the possibility of having him come off the bench. He hasn't been afraid to bench him mid-game at times.
At this point in the season, with Los Angeles eight games under .500 and in ninth place in the Western Conference, it feels like any solution will happen too late to do anything. Westbrook's first season with his hometown team will likely end up being his last.