Lakers' Russell Westbrook speaks out about harassment family has been subject to, vows to push back on 'Westbrick' taunts

SAN ANTONIO — After his wife took to social media to detail the criticism and even «death wishes» her family has received, Russell Westbrook elaborated on the harassment they've been subject to in his first season with the Los Angeles Lakers.

Westbrook, a 14-year veteran, nine-time All-Star and former league MVP said the derision is nothing new for him, but he and his wife, Nina, are speaking out for two reasons: To defend the honor of his family name and to protect his children.

«I 100% stand behind my wife and how she's feeling,» Westbrook said after Los Angeles' 117-100 loss to the San Antonio Spurs on Monday. «When it comes to basketball, I don't mind the criticism of missing and making shots. But the moment it becomes where my name is getting shamed, it becomes an issue.

»I've kind of let it go in the past because it never really bothered me. But, it really kind of hit me the other day. Me and my wife were at teacher-parent conferences for my son. And the teacher told me, 'Noah, he's so proud of his last name. He writes it everywhere. He writes it on everything. He tells everybody and walks around and says, 'I'm Westbrook.' ...And I kind of sat there in shock and it hit me like, 'Damn. I can no longer allow people [besmirch my name].'"

The Westbrooks have three children: a 4-year old son, Noah, and twin 3-year-old daughters, Jordyn and Skye.

Westbrook, whom the Lakers overhauled their roster to acquire in the offseason, has become the poster boy for the team's struggles this season, deserved or not. L.A. came into the 2021-22 campaign as one of the odds-on-favorites to win it all, and Monday's loss — when he shot 5-for-14 overall, including 1-for-6 in the fourth quarter, with five turnovers — dropped the Lakers