JR Smith reflects on Russell Westbrook’s tenure with the Los Angeles Lakers

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.

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