Skip Bayless is without a doubt one of, if not the biggest LeBron James hater of all time. However, Russell Westbrook has been so bad for the Los Angeles Lakers this season that even Skip himself has somewhat turned down the LeBron slander of late to set his sights on Russ.

On a recent episode of Undisputed, Bayless came out with yet another shocking statement condemning Russell Westbrook. This time around, the renowned broadcaster is saying that even undrafted rookie Austin Reaves is a better player than Westbrook:

“It has come to this: An undrafted rookie out of Oklahoma – who stayed the whole time at Oklahoma – is a better all-around player than Russell Westbrook – a first-ballot Hall of Famer. It's a shocking statement to make but it's true,” Bayless said.

Is Skip Bayless actually right here? Should the Lakers seriously consider starting an undrafted 23-year-old over the former league MVP? It would be a contentious move, no doubt, but it could just be the major change LA is in dire need of right now.

Reaves hasn't been stuffing the stat sheet this season, averaging just 6.1 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 1.4 assists in 21.9 minutes per game. However, this kid brings so much more to the table than just his numbers. The energy he exhibits whenever he's on the court is not something you see on the box score, but it's definitely been a key factor for the Lakers' second unit. Reaves has grown into a bit of a fan favorite too, so inserting him to the starting lineup probably won't cause a major ruckus from Laker nation.

It is clear that Bayless believes that this would be the right move for LA. He reiterated how he's long been a proponent of Westbrook coming off the bench for the Lakers, taking a Manu Ginobili-like role with the San Antonio Spurs. Whether or not Russ is amenable to this, however, remains unclear. Note that Russell Westbrook has always been a starter throughout his career.

Bayless did not stop there with his incessant criticism of Westbrook, though. The 70-year-old sports analyst also said that right now, Westbrook is causing more harm than good for the Lakers — in more ways than one:

“He is a liability,” Bayless said. “And he's a liability in the locker room because according to Marc Stein, he's defiant at every suggestion in the locker room, and obviously there have been widely reported stories that there's pressure — I think ESPN started it — from the top down to (coach Frank) Vogel to just use him off the bench.”

This isn't the first time Bayless has gone on an all-out attack on Westbrook, too. Bayless has been on Russ for pretty much the entire 2021-22 season. This has even resulted in Nina Westbrook, Russ' wife, calling out the FOX Sports broadcaster for blocking her on Twitter.

“I just found out that [Skip Bayless] blocked me on Twitter … as though I’m the one constantly harassing him and calling him out of his name,” Nina Westbrook wrote on Instagram.

“Mr. Bayless. I’m a real person. If you’re able to use your platform to degrade my husband and constantly call him out of his name, then at least be adult enough to deal with the consequences of your actions. Don’t try to erase me from your reality to make yourself feel better about your choices. I’m still here. There’s no need to block me. Just be respectful, and I have no reason to respond or remind you of your reckless choices. Just do better.”

Apparently, Bayless wants none of that smoke from Nina Westbrook. However, it is clear that he is just fine with hurling criticism at her husband. There are also no signs of Skip Bayless bringing it down a notch anytime soon.