Ahead of the Raptors and Lakers game on Friday, Russell Westbrook was filmed getting into an argument with a Toronto man who appeared to taunt him.
Westbrook has faced a lot of criticism for his performance this season, and it seems as though it’s all started to impact the Lakers point guard enough for him to respond to the critics. In a new video filmed by an unidentified Toronto man, complete with a Canadian accent, Westbrook can be heard getting into it with the critic.
“I ain’t a little kid, don’t play with me,” said Westbrook in the clip, which was assumedly filmed on Thursday night. It’s not clear what the person said to provoke the reaction from Westbrook, but in the clip the man later said he “fucks with” Westbrook and he “just want you to play better.” As he left the scene, the man yelled, “Russell, you’re a goof, bud.”
Earlier this month, Westbrook’s wife Nina shared a series of tweets in which she said she had received death threats because of how Westbrook has played this season. “When I’m being harassed on a daily basis over basketball games, and I’m having obscenities and death wishes for me and my family sent my way because you’re expressing your ‘truth,’ it’s hard for me to get on board with that,” Nina wrote.
It’s been a rough season for the Lakers in general, who are currently sitting at No. 9 in the western conference. Westbrook responded to hecklers in the audience of a Lakers game against the New Orleans Pelicans last month, and even LeBron James joined in, too. “Shut your ass up,” James could be heard telling a fan in one viral clip.
