USA Today via Reuters
Sep 28, 2021; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Russell Westbrook (0) answers questions during media day at the UCLA Health and Training Center in El Segundo, Calif. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
USA Today via Reuters
Sep 28, 2021; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Russell Westbrook (0) answers questions during media day at the UCLA Health and Training Center in El Segundo, Calif. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Russell Westbrook and his fan stories have always been polar opposite. They’re either about those nasty altercations (remember the popcorn incident?) with deranged fans or about his showcase of sheer love for his greatest admirers. Turns out he is off to a positive start with the Lakers fans.
Russ does it all the time that he sends his sneakers into the stands for his fans to collect. Perhaps this works well for his ‘Why Not’ shoeline and also helps in expanding his fandom. So, he used a recent opportunity to win the hearts of the Lakers fans.
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This how we do it in LA!!!
Shout to the Brodie @BinoRideaux pic.twitter.com/zIi7oOlHKg
— Russell Westbrook (@russwest44) October 2, 2021
Russell Westbrook had to disappoint a fan for a good deed
Recently, during a Lakers preseason game, Russell Westbrook made his first giveaway in the #0 golden jersey. While on his way into the tunnel, he heard fans calling his name. The 32-YO reacted to the calls and stretched his hands to send his sneakers to a little fan.
That’s when an adult fan reached for the shoes and saw the 9x All-Star slap his hands hard. Although Russ missed the contact, he anyway didn’t intend to hurt his fan. In fact, he was destined to let a little kid own his game-worn shoes.
Russ obviously knows the value of one such gesture and its possible impact on a young soul.
Read more: “Keep That Same Energy”: Russell Westbrook Bashes Lakers Media as Poor Form Continues
Lakers fans are not particularly happy with Russ
In the Lakers’ preseason game against the Warriors, Russ wore the Lakers’ game jersey for the first time. In that game, he recorded six turnovers in the first half alone. Then, he went even worse when he had nine turnovers against the Phoenix Suns. All this led to the Lakers fans raising concerns on the caliber of Mr. Triple Double.
Looks like it will take much more than shelling out some sneakers if Russ wants to cultivate a following in California. In the upcoming games, he must strike greater chemistry with his teammates and put some numbers on the scoreboard.
Do you see Russ making a quick impact as a Laker or should he be allowed some time to cope with the transition? Help us learn your opinion in the comments section below.
Watch this story: Russell Westbrook and Other NBA Stars Who Shined at Met Gala 2021
