JR Smith reflects on Russell Westbrook’s tenure with the Los Angeles Lakers
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 31, 2026, 9:53 AM
Last updated Aug 31, 2026
Former NBA champion JR Smith discussed the challenges Russell Westbrook faced during his time with the Los Angeles Lakers. Smith highlighted the difficulty of playing for one's hometown team while receiving criticism from both the organization and the fanbase. During his tenure in Los Angeles, Westbrook averaged 17.4 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 7.2 assists, but the team missed the playoffs with a 33-49 record. Following his exit, Westbrook played for the Los Angeles Clippers, Denver Nuggets, and Sacramento Kings before announcing his retirement this summer. Kevin Durant expressed surprise at the retirement decision, stating he believed Westbrook could still contribute to an NBA team as a veteran presence. Despite receiving offers from other teams, Westbrook opted to step away from professional basketball.
- •JR Smith identified the pressure of playing for a hometown team as a difficult experience for Russell Westbrook.
- •Westbrook averaged 17.4 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 7.2 assists during his time with the Los Angeles Lakers.
- •The Lakers finished 33-49 and missed the playoffs during Westbrook's tenure.
- •Kevin Durant noted that Westbrook turned down offers to continue his career before retiring this summer.
- 9:53 AMYahoo Sports — Russell Westbrook’s Painful Lakers Experience Gets Powerful Backing From 2016 NBA Champion
"Most Los Angeles Lakers fans want to forget Russell Westbrook‘s stint with the team. When Westbrook was a Laker, the team was not at its best, and he was mostly criticized for not fitting in with his co-stars. From a basketball perspective, Westbrook’s erratic shooting prevented him from having the best rapport with Anthony Davis [...]
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