Russell Westbrook, Will Smith… and the hypocrisy of LeBron James?

Journalist Jaron Weitzman has been in the news a lot in the last few hours, when his book was published “Hollywood End: The Dreams and Drama of LeBron Lakers,” which goes back to the relationship between LeBron James and Jeannie Bass, owner of the Lakers, in a constant tug of war.

In particular, an extract from the work, published by the author himself, is circulating on The Ringer website. That’s about it Russell Westbrook and LeBron James, at the start of the 2022/23 season.

The playmaker arrived the previous season and is not very convincing. At the same time, the franchise has failed to implement and if the “King” publicly supports his teammate, behind the scenes he is asking the Lakers to bring in Kyrie Irving, who requested his transfer from Brooklyn. Except, in order for a potential transfer to happen, the leaders must release Russell Westbrook…

LeBron James wants to skip the moment with Will Smith

The latter then realizes that the media support for LeBron James is just the wind and that he is primarily maintaining his public image.

This feeling will be confirmed, for Russell Westbrook, after the third game of the season against the Blazers. Los Angeles is still looking for its first win, and Will Smith is visiting the training facility. Rob Pelinka’s desire is to bring personalities from other backgrounds to interact with the players. That day, it was the turn of the actor from the series “Men in Black”.

The players have just finished a video session with their coach Darwin Hamm of the loss to Portland and as he and Rob Pelinka leave to look for Will Smith, LeBron James leaves his teammates. “It’s up to you to sort it out”he says. He is soon followed by Anthony Davis. The other players hesitate about what to do.

“Shall we all go then?” »Russell Westbrook demands. “No, we have to stay”answers Patrick Beverley. The 2017 MVP doesn’t understand the situation or the attitude of the LeBron James-Anthony Davis duo. His teammate then reminds him that there are two of them “they can do whatever they want. They won the title”. Finally, Darwin Hamm would pick up two All-Stars before Rob Pelinka and Will Smith arrived.

A photo that now has a whole new meaning

The anecdote might end there, but what will draw the ire of Russell Westbrook is LeBron James’ attitude. Not because he wanted to leave before his meeting with Will Smith, but because of how he would act in front of the actor. “LBJ” will thus multiply the questions, so much so that a moment that should have lasted only 30 minutes will require twice as much.

“The same guy who wanted to leave is now here reciting lines from movies and telling his life story”recalls a witness quoted by Jaron Weitzman. At the same time, Russell Westbrook is disappointed. “I hate this fucking hypocrisy”he said to a teammate. The Lakers gather to capture the moment as the 2017 MVP adds: “I can’t do this.”

The photo is still visible on the social networks of the California franchise, and Russell Westbrook is also in it. On the other hand, if we look closely and know behind the scenes of this story as is the case now, we will better understand why he didn’t really want to smile in the photo…

A big thank you to Will Smith, who joined the team to discuss strength through fellowship and practicing gratitude in times of great challenge. All themes in his upcoming masterpiece, Emancipation.

| Genius Lakers talk pic.twitter.com/H2Pt0bmBhr

— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) October 26, 2022