You don’t have to go far to find a negative headline about Russell Westbrook of the Los Angeles Lakers.
In fact, it’s been a long time since anyone has written anything very supportive of the former MVP.
Of course, fans of the Lakers defend Westbrook but even they are sometimes hard-pressed to really be enthusiastic about the star.
KD is tired of the Russ critics 👀
(via @boardroom) pic.twitter.com/UolDG7Luvj
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) October 20, 2022
Westbrook has found another person who is standing up for him.
That person is none other than Brooklyn Nets star Kevin Durant.
Durant, who knows a thing or two about getting bad press and receiving hate from fans, spoke about Westbrook and the criticism leveled at him.
“Now you’re him the butt of your jokes. I get criticism [on the court], but it’s starting to turn into something else right now,” Durant said.
The former champion spoke more of Westbrook and his struggling Lakers team.
From One MVP To Another
Durant and Westbrook started in the NBA together, leading the Oklahoma City Thunder for several years.
Since then, they have both found success and shortcomings throughout the league.
Durant noted that Westbrook could be shooting 5-of-7 from the field and only the two missed shots that he didn’t make would be spoken about.
He suggested that this is an unfair way to look at Westbrook’s record.
He also seemed to compare the struggles of the Lakers with the struggles of the Nets.
Many people were expecting huge things from both teams last year – and the reality was far from that.
This is supposed to be a redemption year for both Westbrook and Durant and their respective fan bases think they could go far if they are able to rebound from last year.
However, based on the opening night, that might not be happening.
NEXT: The Lakers Continued A Troubling Trend