Magic Johnson to Lakers fans: Stop harsh treatment of Westbrook

The Lakers' acquisition of Russell Westbrook could not be going worse. Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Magic Johnson asks Lakers fans to stop harsh treatment of Russell Westbrook

By Chelena Goldman | Last updated 3/9/22

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.

Laker Nation, it's our responsibility to come together and support Russell Westbrook and his family. Threats and attacks on the Westbrook family are completely unacceptable and will not be tolerated. There's no place in sports for this type of behavior, period. @russwest44
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) March 8, 2022

Russell plays an important role on the @Lakers team and will be a key component to the success of the rest of the season and the NBA Playoffs. Let's do better, rally around the Westbrook family, and support them. @russwest44
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) March 8, 2022

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.

"I don't even wanna bring my kids to the game because I don't want them to hear people calling their dad nicknames”

Russell Westbrook speaks on the criticism he and his family have dealt with throughout his career

(Via @SpectrumSN)pic.twitter.com/ng6zG9rOFn
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) March 8, 2022

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.

Magic Johnson did not hold back on the state of the Lakers this season:

“[Russell Westbrook] quit battling the press, take ownership and accountability. … I’m tired of excuses, it’s time to take ownership and say ‘I just been playing poorly’.” pic.twitter.com/PHJHpZ7HN7
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) March 6, 2022

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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