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LeBron James Posts Viral Video Saying Russell Westbrook Was Lakers' 'Scapegoat' | News, results, highlights, statistics and rumors

Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images

Veteran point guard Russell Westbrook made his debut for the Denver Nuggets in Friday's preseason game against the Boston Celtics in Abu Dhabi, but the Celtics' broadcast team made disparaging comments about his former Los Angeles Lakers teammate LeBron James.

While claiming that Westbrook was blamed for the Lakers' lack of success during his short tenure with the team, one broadcaster sarcastically said, “Are you telling me that one of LeBron's teammates became a scapegoat out of nowhere?”

James took to social media on Saturday and made it clear he was unhappy with the comments while calling Westbrook “a legend.”

LeBron James @King James

I traveled all the way to Abu Dhabi to attend my…Eat some breakfast first! Anyway, Brodie is a LEGEND 🫡 https://t.co/Ux3Wnl83Y5

The broadcaster who asked the sarcastic question responded to his partner's statement about Westbrook: “I'm keeping my fingers crossed that he makes like nine threes against the Lakers because he's getting a lot of heat.” That was a disaster for the team, and he got all the heat for the whole thing.

Westbrook was traded from the Washington Wizards to the Lakers in August 2021 in exchange for a package that included Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Kyle Kuzma, Montrezl Harrell and the draft rights to Isaiah Jackson. The UCLA graduate was expected to help lead his hometown team back to title contention, but things didn't go as well as the team had hoped.

Los Angeles finished the 2021-22 season with a 33-49 record and missed the playoffs. Westbrook appeared in 78 games and averaged 18.5 points, 7.4 rebounds and 7.1 assists, but he shot just 44.4 percent from the field and 29.8 percent from three-point range, which many Causing critics to question his effectiveness on the team. Making matters worse, both James and star forward Anthony Davis missed significant time due to injuries.

The Lakers sent Westbrook to the Utah Jazz at the 2023 trade deadline. After a contract buyout, he signed with the Los Angeles Clippers and remained with the team through the 2023–24 season, finding his niche in a bench position.

Westbrook impressed in his debut with the Nuggets, scoring 12 points and eight assists in 19 minutes off the bench as the team suffered a 107-103 loss.

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