Magic Johnson asks Lakers fans to stop harsh treatment of Russell Westbrook
You don't have to be an avid Lakers fan to know the Russell Westbrook experiment down in Southern California hasn't been working out. Amid rumors that his own teammates don't want to be around him and that the team pushed to trade him at the deadline, the nine-time All-Star is also getting an earful from fans on game days.
With the immense criticism evolving into threats to Westbrook's family, Lakers great Magic Johnson is calling on Lakers fans to show more compassion.
Although Westbrook has previously said many times before that jeering from fans doesn't affect him, he has apparently changed his tune, saying he doesn't want his family to go to games and hear him be called nicknames.
It is an interesting about-face from Westbrook, who has long thrived off of criticism and always seemingly enjoyed being the combative villain both on and off the court. That has apparently changed now that he is playing so poorly on a high-profile team that the coaches reportedly pushed hard for him to be traded at the deadline.
Johnson himself criticized Westbrook for focusing more on talking back to the media than admitting he needs to play better.
The Lakers currently sit in ninth place in the Western Conference, outside of the playoff bubble and just on the edge of the play-in tournament.
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