EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — After several videos went viral making it appear Russell Westbrook was intentionally distancing himself from teammates during the Los Angeles Lakers' preseason loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday, Westbrook offered context to debunk any signs of discord.
In one video, shot on a phone by Instagram user Michael Morales from a seat located behind the Lakers' bench, Westbrook is seen greeting teammates near the foul line during player introductions and then running to the bench alone, while the Lakers huddled up. «Pregame, I've been doing that since I've been in the league for years, man,» Westbrook said after practice Thursday. «I think they just cut the video and obviously the internet is going to take it and run with whatever they need to run with.
But, I've been doing the same ritual since I've been in the league.» Westbrook's wife, Nina, responded to a Twitter user who showed several photos and videos of Westbrook indeed following the same solo pregame ritual on other teams he has played for by writing, «Smh… and it begins...» Smh… and it begins...
Another video, clipped from the ESPN telecast and shared widely on Twitter, showed Patrick Beverley gathering his teammates for an on-court huddle following a foul by Westbrook early on in the third quarter and Westbrook lining up in rebounding position outside the lane to await the Wolves' free throw attempts, rather than join in.