Lakers Player Reveals Truth About Russell Westbrook

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Throughout his Hall-of-Fame career, LA Clippers guard Russell Westbrook has left a positive impression on his teammates. Several players have called Westbrook the best teammate they've ever had, which is why the report about him being a "vampire" in the Los Angeles Lakers locker room was so inconsistent with everything else that has been said about him.
During a recent episode of Showtime Basketball's All The Smoke podcast, Lakers guard Austin Reaves revealed the truth about Westbrook, saying the veteran point guard is one of the best teammates he has ever had.
"He's one of the best teammates I've ever had. As a person, you can't get much better," Reaves said. "I got Covid in December of my rookie year, in Minnesota. I was stuck in Minnesota for like seven days, so it was rough. [Westbrook] reached out like three or four times, asked if I need anything, offered to send me stuff, whatever I needed. As a person, you couldn't get better. Same as a teammate, he was always empowering everybody to be better, and do better, and want more."
Austin Reaves on Russell Westbrook:
— Joey Linn (@joeylinn_) July 20, 2023
“He’s one of the best teammates I’ve ever had. As a person, you can’t get much better… Same as a teammate, he was always empowering everybody to be better.”
🎥: @shobasketball pic.twitter.com/4ZbHDdyZvR
After joining the Clippers, Westbrook received similar reports from several of his new teammates as well. This was nothing new, because as previously mentioned, Westbrook's teammates have spoken highly of him every single place he has played. The more players speak out, the more the "vampire" narrative gets shut down.
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Joey Linn is a credentialed writer covering the NBA and WNBA for On SI. Covering the LA Clippers independently in 2018, then for Fansided and 213Hoops from 2019-2021, Joey joined On SI to cover the Clippers after the 2020-21 season. Graduating from Biola University in 2022 with a Communication Studies degree, Joey served as Biola's play-by-play announcer for their basketball, baseball, softball, and soccer teams. Joey's work on Biola's broadcasts and in the classroom earned him the Outstanding Communication Studies Student of the year award in 2022. Joey covers the NBA full-time, primarily serving as a Clippers beat writer.
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