Lakers News: 2020 LA Champ Reflects On Russell Westbrook's Uneven 2022-23 Season

Westbrook numbers among several veteran free agent point guards this summer.

Longtime NBA swingman J.R. Smith wrapped up his career winning a second title alongside LeBron James, this time as a deep-bench reserve on the 2020 Los Angeles Lakers.

Smith has seen it all across his 16-year NBA career, having gone from his peak as a starting swingman on solid playoff clubs with the Denver Nuggets, New York Knicks, and Cleveland Cavaliers, to eventually become a bench role player and finally an LA backup.

He spoke about former 2017 MVP Russell Westbrook's uneven journey in the 2022-23 regular. Westbrook was an odd fit as the Lakers' priciest player, a ball hog who couldn't shoot, opted not to defend anybody and struggled to close games effectively. Alongside LA stars LeBron James and Anthony Davis, he was always going to be a weird third wheel.

Upon being flipped to the Utah Jazz in a three-team deal, Westbrook and his team negotiated a buyout. The Long Beach native inked a veteran's minimum contract for the rest of the season with his other hometown team, the Los Angeles Clippers, and performed much better when he wasn't clogging up his new team's salary cap, and was surrounded by shooters and other scorers.

Smith spoke with Brandon "Scoop B" Robinson of Bally Sports about Westbrook's season.

Russell Westbrook was the butt of jokes by many NBA fans this season.

JR Smith’s take: “It’s hard to feel for somebody who got $300 million.”

While joking, @TheRealJRSmith added more context at @BallySports.

▶️ Press play

Full Interview Here ➡️ https://t.co/bXsduQfHcw https://t.co/UpiShfSmNG pic.twitter.com/Pth6VuqEGO

— 👑 Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson (@ScoopB) May 1, 2023

“It’s hard to feel for somebody who got $300 million. Nah I'm just playing," Smith said. "People think money can cure anything, so honestly speaking, I understand what he was going through. Given the passion he has for the game, and then seeing people around you -- who quote-unquote are supposed to be the closest to you in your teammates and organization -- kind of flip on you, and then the fanbase... And he's an LA guy, he's from LA. I'm pretty sure he grew up a Lakers fan."

He did.

"Fortunately, I'm happy to see him go to the Clippers and have the success he's had because now he's still able to have some type of reputable space when it's all said and done and it's all over, when he's not playing anymore, he played at home, and went to a better situation than where he was at. Being booed at home is a really tough thing. I got booed at the Garden [Madison Square Garden, where he played with the New York Knicks] and I'm from Jersey."

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