Russell Westbrook Responds to Recent Criticism: 'When You Do So Much at a High Level, a Lot of Haters Come'

Westbrook was nothing but candid in his first interview since OKC's playoff elimination.

April 25, 2019

This is a photo of Westbrook. — Image via Getty/Zach Beeker
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Days after being eliminated from the playoffs, players from the Oklahoma City Thunder gave their exit interviews. Russell Westbrook, who has been dealing with a lot of criticism recently, was especially candid in his interview, as he spoke about how he deals with said criticism and his plans for the future.

Westbrook talked about his intense rivalry with Damian Lillard, and what critics are saying in the aftermath of Portland's 118-115 victory during Tuesday's match. "If you want to determine my career and what I've done over two, three games, you go ahead. That don't mean shit to me," he said. When asked if he thought it was strange to be receiving the amount of criticism he responded by saying "No I don't. When you do so much at a high level, a lot of haters come."

OKC forward Paul George also chimed in on the backlash Russ has received. Asked about Westbrook's method of handling the press, George said, "It just doesn't come off the right way. But I know where it's coming from. You know, he's a guy of principles. ... He's going to take care of himself and he's going to look out for himself, and that's what you've got to love about him, to be honest."