Russell Westbrook outs ‘fake’ LeBron James in tell-all book

What do Skip Bayless, Enes Kanter and — now — Russell Westbrook all have in common? They aren't the biggest fans of LeBron James.

At least, that's what one can get from Yaron Weitzman's latest book, "A Hollywood Ending: The Dreams and Drama of the LeBron Lakers."

The story, which Weitzman followed up in an article for The Ringer, paints the picture of how Westbrook grew sick and tired of James' 'fake' act.

Apparently, Westbrook didn't care for the way James portrayed himself or how he pretended to have his back by saying, "Let Russ be Russ," but not supporting him behind closed doors. 

Russell Westbrook didn't like LeBron James' demeanor

It all got worse when the rumors of Kyrie Irving's potential trade to the Lakers flooded social media. Westbrook found out that James was pushing for a reunion, even though it meant he would have to be traded:

"Because of the NBA’s salary-matching rules, the only way for the Lakers to acquire Irving would have been by dealing Westbrook. Westbrook knew this, and he knew that LeBron did as well. Meaning that no matter what LeBron said in public, the reality was clear: He was pushing for the Lakers to ship Westbrook out," Weitzman wrote.

However, the bizarre breaking point came thanks to Will Smith, of all people.

With the Lakers getting off to a 0-3 start to the 2022-23 season, GM Rob Pelinka informed the players that the Hollywood legend was there and wanted to meet them.

James and Anthony Davis got up and walked out the door. Then, as Patrick Beverley let Westbrook know that they could "do whatever they wanted because they just won a championship," the Lakers franchise players stormed right in, joined by Smith, Pelinka and then head coach Darvin Ham.

James, who had been openly disinterested and unfazed by Smith's visit, suddenly changed his demeanor: 

"LeBron was first. He had a question, he said. Smith answered. Then LeBron had another question. And another after that and another after that and another after that. On and on he went, stretching what was supposed to be a 30-minute session into nearly an hour," the book added.

"I hate that fake (expletive)," Westbrook reportedly told a teammate, as the Lakers gathered for a team photo. "I just can’t do it."