The Los Angeles Lakers finally pulled off the trade they had been itching to make since the end of the last season. Lakers GM Rob Pelinka finally traded Russell Westbrook to the Utah Jazz via a three-team deal that landed them DeAndre Russell, Malik Beasley, and Jared Vanderbilt. However, recent reports suggested that Westbrook might end up staying back in his hometown of Los Angeles after all, as the Jazz plan on buying him out. Amid the reports about Westbrook’s chances of moving to a different team, Shaquille O’Neal recently exposed the unfortunate mistreatment of the former Lakers star and his family while talking about the tough time Westbrook had to go through during his last stint in LA. Moreover, Shaq also suggested an ultimate revenge move amid rumors that Westbrook could join the Los Angeles Clippers.
Shaquille O’Neal recently joined co-hosts Nischelle Turner and two-time WNBA champ Candace Parker during the recent iteration of The Big Podcast. The four-time NBA champ claimed that Kawhi Leonard and Paul George’s Clippers could be the perfect fit for Russell Westbrook, under head coach Tyronn Lue. While agreeing with Shaq’s statement, Candace Parker talked about the backlash Westbrook and his family had to face during their time with the Lakers.
Shaquille O’Neal condemns the treatment of Russell Westbrook and his family in LA
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In the recent iteration of The Big Podcast, Candace Parker said, while addressing the mistreatment of Russ in LA, “But here’s what I can’t imagine. I can’t imagine going back home and playing and being booed.” Moreover, the 2016 Finals MVP pointed out that despite LA being Westbrook’s hometown, he was constantly called out and booed by the Lakers fans every time he tried to take a shot at the Crypto.com Arena.
Moreover, Parker commended Westbrook for not letting the heat from the fans affect his game. The Las Vegas Aces star shared that Russell Westbrook deserved a great deal of respect for his battles on and off the court. Candace Parker added, “But to see this guy come home and have to deal with all this stuff. I just hope, he goes somewhere and is happy and is able to play.” Meanwhile, Shaquille O’Neal responded by disclosing the unfortunate circumstances Westbrook and his family had to bear. The Big Diesel said, “And I know for the fact that the Clippers fans would appreciate him. Lakers fans and Clippers fans are, you know, two totally different fanbases.”
Shaq added, “But I agree with Candace like coming back to your hometown, getting booed, you know, your wife and kids sitting in the audience and you know people talking crazy, it has to be tough.”
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Shaquille O’Neal understood the efforts it would have taken for Russell Westbrook to bear with all the criticism he and his wife and kids had to go through from the media and the fans. Incidentally, Westbrook’s significant other Nina Westbrook recently garnered support from different circles after calling out an ESPN reporter for referring to Westbrook as a Vampire in the locker room. However, in the meantime, Shaq ended up suggesting a perfect revenge idea for Westbrook.
Shaq’s idea on how Westbrook should get back at LA fans
While praising Westbrook’s resilience, Shaquille O’Neal suggested an idea for Russell Westbrook to get back at LA fans. Ignoring his own allegiance to the Lakers, Shaq said, “So If I were him I would throw it in the face of the Laker fans and go with the team that’s making the playoffs and not fighting to get into playoffs and play well and see what they can do. That’s what I would do.”
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Do you agree with the 15-time All-Star’s advice and assessment? Let us know in the comments.