Russell Westbrook says he’s done with fans calling him “Westbrick” … telling reporters Monday night the taunt is now deeply affecting him, his kids and everyone else he closely associates with.
“A lot of times, I let it slide,” the L.A. Lakers superstar said following his team’s loss to the Spurs in San Antonio. “But now it’s time to put a stop to that and put it on notice.”
Westbrook has heard the heckle repeatedly this year — both at home and on the road — after he’s struggled to put up good performances for L.A. on a consistent basis.
Now, though, he said it’s gotten so bad … he’s worried about the potential impact it’s having on him and his family — and he says he’s going to do everything in his power to stop it.
“Me and my wife were at teacher-parent conferences for my son,” said Westbrook, following a a game in which he had 17 points and five turnovers. “And, the teacher told me, ‘[My son] Noah, he’s so proud of his last name. He writes it everywhere. He writes it on everything. He tells everybody and walks around and says, ‘I’m Westbrook.””
“And, I kind of sat there in shock,” Westbrook added. “And, it hit me, like, ‘Damn. I can no longer allow people [to call me Westbrick].'”
Russ was seen Monday night in San Antonio appearing to shut down the taunt from a courtside fan, yelling at the person from the baseline, “Don’t disrespect my name!”
“Every time I do hear it now,” Russ said of the taunting, “I will make sure that I address it and make sure I nip that in the bud.”
Westbrook’s wife, meanwhile, has also urged fans to stop with the jeers … urging people in a series of tweets this week to cool it — claiming their family has even gotten death threats over the course of the season.