Revealing the inside story of the feud between Westbrook and James: The initial collapse led to the collapse of trust, and Smith’s visit intensified the conflict

On October 21, The Ringer reporter Yaron Weitzman reported on the conflict between Westbrook and James, revealing how the relationship between the two became sour when they became teammates. The following is the full text -

In early July 2022, James appeared at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas to watch the Lakers Summer League. When he entered the stadium, he caused a commotion. Fans held up their mobile phones to take pictures. New teammates Thomas Bryant, Juan Toscano Anderson, as well as Hamm, Rob Pelinka and other management personnel came forward to pay tribute.

Sitting at the other end of the court, Russell Westbrook remained indifferent throughout the entire process. He saw James entering the game before the game, but he never got up; he didn't cross half court after the first quarter; he got up and left through the tunnel at the end of the second quarter, and never came back.

This scene became a hot topic of discussion that night. A comparison picture of James' "entering together and sitting side by side" at the Summer League last year and "zero interaction" this year was circulated on social media. It was not only focused by commentators, but also worried the new Lakers coaching staff. "We knew we had to bring Westbrook off the bench in the end because he really didn't fit in with the team, but when we saw this scene that night we realized, 'Oh my God, these two don't even talk anymore,'" a Lakers coach said.

The trigger of the conflict was the rumors about Irving at the time. Irving only had the last year of his contract with the Nets ($36.9 million player option) left. He wanted to renew but was rejected by the Nets. Since joining Brooklyn, Irving has missed many times due to incidents such as refusing to take the COVID-19 vaccine and promoting anti-Semitic movies on social media. The Nets were unwilling to give him a huge guaranteed contract. So Irving proposed a trade, and many media reported that the Lakers were his first choice, and James hoped to reunite with him.

But the negotiations between the Lakers and the Nets made no progress: Pelinka didn't have much interest in Irving, and even if he had, the Nets were unwilling to take over Westbrook. In the end, Irving exercised his option to stay with the team, but the crack could not be repaired-according to NBA salary matching rules, the Lakers must trade Westbrook to get Irving. Westbrook knew this, and he also knew that James knew this well. No matter what James says publicly, Westbrook believes that James is pushing the team to send him away.

Debacle at the start of the season: collapse of trust

In mid-October 2022, the Lakers lost to the Warriors 109-123 in the first game of the season; in the home opener two nights later, Westbrook missed all 11 shots, and the Lakers lost to the Clippers again. After the game, reporters asked him how he thought he played. Westbrook replied: "Very solid. I tried my best. That's all you can ask for."

Three days later, the Lakers faced the Trail Blazers at home and were expected to win their first win of the season. With 36 seconds left in the game, the Lakers only led by 1 point. Westbrook advanced with the ball, but wasted no time. He shot a 15-foot jumper directly from the right wing and the ball bounced out of the frame. Anthony Davis and James witnessed this scene from the outside and spread their hands, their dissatisfaction palpable. In the end, the Lakers lost 104-106 and started with 0 wins and 3 losses.

After the game, reporters asked James about his views on the team's "shot selection at critical moments" and also asked him how he prefers to handle the final quarter "based on basketball concepts." James responded: "I feel like you are trying to trick me and want me to say something. I can see that all you can think about now is 'Russell Westbrook'." He then added: "You can write about Westbrook or talk about anything about Westbrook, but I won't do it. I have said it many times, I am not this kind of person."

But Westbrook didn't believe it at all. To him, this is just another example of James' "words and actions not matching his words." As early as December of the previous year, Westbrook told reporters: "Everyone is saying, 'Let Westbrook be himself,' but I don't think anyone really understands what this means. It's just a casual comment." This statement was obviously aimed at James. When asked about James repeatedly saying this after the season, Westbrook even made a strong statement: "This is not true. We have to tell the truth."

Westbrook has long understood James' "reputation" - he has seen There have been too many examples of James' "self-packaging": James once called "The Godfather" his favorite movie, but couldn't answer a line when a reporter asked him to say a line; he once brought "The Autobiography of Malcolm X" to a media conference, but was incoherent when asked about his biggest gain; in another interview, he said that when Kobe Bryant scored 81 points in a single game, he predicted in advance that Kobe Bryant would score 70 points. This video became a popular meme because it was so ridiculous. James' reputation for "exaggerating" is so widespread that he has even been ridiculed in the programs he himself participated in producing. In November 2022, Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Jalen Ramsey asked him directly on the talk show "The Shop" produced by James and Maverick Carter's media company: "They say you always like to brag, is it true?"

In Westbrook's view, this is the real James, and he has had enough.

Will Smith's visit: Conflict broke out

Two days after losing to the Trail Blazers, the Lakers team gathered in the training facility. Pelinka informed the players that a special guest would be visiting - he created a "genius series" event, inviting leaders from all walks of life. Domain names (such as "The Rock" Johnson, Kendrick Lamar, and Elon Musk) came to communicate with the team, and this time they invited Hollywood A-list star Will Smith (only 6 months after he slapped Chris Rock at the 94th Oscar).

The team first reviewed the game against the Trail Blazers in the screening room. Hamm was strict with the team and pointed out various mistakes that led to a 0-3 start. After the review, Pelinka came over to inform the players: Smith had visited the training facility (the two also shot free throws together) and Jeanie Buss's office, and would come to see them soon.

When Pelinka and Ham left to pick up Smith, James, who was sitting in the middle row, suddenly stood up, said "You guys get it done," and rushed out of the back door. "Damn, bro," Davis said and got up and followed him out..

The remaining players were stunned and looked at each other, not knowing what to do. "We were like, 'What the hell?'" one player recalled.

Westbrook then stood up and asked: "So, we all have to leave?" "No, Russell," replied Patrick Beverley, the tough point guard the Lakers just signed in the summer, "we have to stay." Westbrook asked in confusion: "What do you mean?" Beverley said: "Those two can do whatever they want. They have won championships."

During the dispute between the two, other players understood Westbrook's thoughts: As a 9-time All-Star, former MVP, and future Hall of Famer, why is he different from James and Davis?

At this time, Pelinka came back and asked: "Are you ready?" Beverley replied: "Not yet, we need five minutes." After Pelinka left, Ham re-entered the screening room and sat silently in the front row, watching Westbrook and Beverley continue to argue. Then he got up and went out through the door where James and Davis left, and soon came back with the two stars, and then went to pick up Pelinka and Smith.

After Smith arrived, everyone smiled and high-fived him. He talked to the players about the new movie "Emancipation" and how to overcome adversity. He also made some jokes about the team, and then opened the question period.

James was the first to raise his hand to ask a question. After Smith answered, he asked one question after another, dragging the originally planned 30-minute exchange to nearly an hour. "The person who was thinking about leaving just now is now quoting movie lines and asking questions about his or her life experience," one person present recalled his thoughts at the time.

Sitting in the third row, playing with a bowl of fruit, Westbrook watched all this in disbelief. Every time James said a word, he shook his head and rolled his eyes. Later, when the Lakers gathered for a group photo, Westbrook said to his teammates: "I hate this kind of hypocritical shit. I really can't stand it."

The next afternoon, the Lakers posted this photo on social media: Will Smith stood among the players, coaches and Pelinka, holding up a customized jersey; and a few feet to his right, Westbrook's face was full of anger.