Charles Barkley thinks that Russell Westbrook has fallen off and that the Lakers are to blame.
“You know how I feel about Russell Westbrook… I admire him, I respect him. It’s time for the Lakers to move him. They have taken all his joy [for] life and basketball… First of all, the Lakers stink, we can get that out of the way,” said Barkley.
The Lakers’ 2022-23 season debut included a 123-109 loss to the Golden State Warriors.
He continued, “Those two guys [are] just out there having fun, AD and LeBron, they’re just getting numbers. You never thought they were gonna win this game… [Westbrook] used to be so exuberant, playing with great energy and great emotion. I think the wear and tear mentally [is having an impact] — last year, starting this year, playing with Patrick Beverley… I think he needs a fresh start, I think the Lakers need a fresh start because they’re not contenders… They are taking his entire joy out of basketball and it pisses me off.”
