Russell Westbrook tallied 35 points (26 of 14 shooting), 21 assists and 14 rebounds in a win over the Pacers on Monday. Westbrook’s line was even more impressive when he considered that he posted the numbers without All-Star guard Bradley Beal, who missed the game due to a hip injury.
So, ESPN analyst Stephen A. How did Smith react to the performance?
“I don’t give a damn about any of it,” Smith said in a video segment on Tuesday. “Stephen A. doesn’t care about Westbrook’s big night.” OK then!
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Smith dodges great teammates playing with Westbrook and asks, “Where is [championship] To show for it? “Smith praised Westbrook for his competitive fire and leadership, but he criticized the nine-time All-Star, who did not develop a consistent 3-point shot. He reiterated his stance on ESPN’s” First Take “.
Smith said, “Westbrook’s numbers last night mean nothing to me, even though that might be a great number, that’s what Westbrook can do.” “We all know that. He’s a former league MVP. He’s the most athletic point guard we’ve ever seen in NBA history. … I’m at a time in his career where it’s like – it’s about him. I don’t. No more. It’s about whether you can get to another level to win. [championship]”
After seeing Smith’s monologue, Westbrook’s wife, Nina, Fired back on instagram, Saying that Westbrook is “the happiest person ever.” He said Westbrook does not feel “hurt” because he has not won a title, as claimed by Smith.
“You don’t know anything about him,” Nina said. “If you did, you would know that he is a way, way, way, more than a championship. He is the champion of life. A champion of his people. He does not care about your championship, and sure. Roop is not your opinion. He is trying to make his people, his community and the world a better place.
During his Tuesday night media availability, Westbrook gave his response.
Russell Westbrook on Stephen A. Smith
“The one thing I won’t let anymore is telling people to create a narrative and constantly talk nonsense about me for no reason because I put it on the line every night and I help people all over the world Use my platform to be able ” pic.twitter.com/8oJi0E4dwT
– Ghera District (@Hup_District) March 31, 2021
Westbrook’s Complete Comments:
I watch these college games and I watch these kids, and these announcers, man, they come on TV and say anything about a child. They don’t even know him. They do not know his family. They do not know where he is from. They do not know what he is through. They do not know his struggles. They do not know his pain. They do not know anything about the child. But one thing said on TV can determine how you can see this kid on TV, who won’t let him be able to reach his goals, who won’t let him be able to draft, who will take care of him. Will not allow to do. His family, which will no longer curb the generational wealth, which now makes our people and minorities, the untouchable communists, that creates that gap [bigger]. It is bigger than basketball. He is my focus all my life. My wife, this is what she is saying.
I sit back. I don’t say much I don’t like to go back and forth about people. But the one thing I won’t let it happen anymore is that people create stories and are constantly talking about me for no reason just because I keep it on the line every night. And I use my platform to be able to help people around the world. Nobody can take me away. I was blessed to be able to have a platform to do this. Like I said before, a championship does not change my life. I am happy Once a place in the NBA, I was a champion. Like, I grew up on the streets. I am a champion. I don’t need to be an NBA champion. I know many people who got NBA championships, which is pathetic, have done nothing for their community, have done nothing for the people of our world.
For me, man, my legacy, like I’ve mentioned before, is not based on what I do in this court. I am not going to play basketball all my life. My legacy is what I take away from the floor, how many people I can influence and inspire in my journey, man. That’s why I keep my head down and keep pushing it because it’s so important that you don’t let negativity come in because it’s like my entire career, honestly. There is no other player who takes heat consistently. But I take it as a positive because obviously I’m doing something right if people are talking about me. And that’s what I feel, and I [put] My best foot forward, be prayerful, keep my family close and keep it that way.
Smith then addressed what Nina and Russell said during Wednesday’s edition of “First Take”.
“Russell Westbrook is just as real, as authentic as they get,” Smith said. “He gains his community. He cares about his people. He addresses social justice issues. He gives voice to the giver. He is charitable. He is philanthropic. He is, by all accounts, A great man, a great leader, a great husband. A great father, a great family man.
“Russell Westbrook, regardless of his mean and sharp behavior at any given time, is one of the best people, the most genuine, straight-up, authentic people you’ll ever see in your life. I would respect the man from hell Am. What to do with your game?
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