Sally Jessy Raphael Tells Russell Westbrook to Stop Wearing Red Glasses

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Complex Original

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It's official: It's time for Russell Westbrook to stop wearing his ridiculous red glasses. Over the course of the last few weeks, everyone from Jeff Van Gundy to Charles Barkley has come out and poked fun at the Thunder point guard for his choice in eyewear (hit the thumbs to see what we mean). But, recently, TIME caught up with none other than former TV talk show host Sally Jessy Raphael—who made a name for herself in the 1980s while wearing her trademark red glasses—to get her take on why Westbrook should stop wearing the red frames immediately.

"The basketball player better be careful," she said, unaware of who Westbrook actually is. "When you become known for the cigar in your mouth, like comedians do, or glasses, pink hair, or whatever it is, if it's an external thing, it begins to own you."

She also explained that it can get really annoying when you try to go out in public without your signature look. "If I go out to a mall where I live now," she said, "and anybody recognizes me, they say, 'Oh, why don't you have your red glasses?' Like I'm doing something illegal."

She has found that theft has become a problem for her, too. "People swipe them," she said. "If I was at a restaurant and was wearing the darn things and put them down and went to the ladies room, they'd be gone. And I really need glasses to see."

So, her message to Westbrook? Lose the glasses. "Tell your basketball player, a) be careful of what he's doing, and b) be careful of thieves," she said. "This guy better watch it."

Well, there you have it, Russ. NO MORE GLASSES! Please?

RELATED: Gallery: The 10 Craziest Outfits From The 2012 NBA Playoffs

[via Keeping Score]

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