Arenas defends Westbrook s refusal to sign Lakers jersey: Trying to protect him

According to an article written by US sports media F/W analyst Siddhant Gupta, nine-time All-Star player Westbrook has recently been criticized for refusing to sign fans' Lakers jerseys. While some fans on social media called the guard's actions petty, former NBA player Arenas shed some light on the matter on the "No Chill Gil" podcast. "The funny thing is, I'm friends with family members who own Lakers jerseys," Arenas claimed. "They were like, 'Yo, you gotta protect him, man. Like how they look, it's bullshit."

Having Arenas provide context to the situation is very helpful because it could draw unnecessary fire from Westbrook. However, to some extent, this also reflects the overall portrayal of Westbrook in the media. The nine-time All-Star has been treated harshly by the media since his time with the Oklahoma City Thunder. The defender has attracted largely undeserved public ire with his outspoken nature.

Although his reputation in the media is not good, it was not until he joined the Lakers that Westbrook's career reached an obvious low point. Recent reports have even hinted at internal friction between the guard and James, with speculative comments from former NBA player Patrick Beverley also potentially having an impact. Even after being portrayed a certain way by the media, Westbrook remains a humble man. After signing a one-year contract with the Sacramento Kings, the nine-time All-Star made sure to express his gratitude for a spot in the league.

At 36 years old, Russell Westbrook is still far from his prime. However, that doesn't mean he can't be a solid contributor to an NBA team. Heading into the 2025-26 season, Westbrook will have several opportunities to step up and become a valuable addition to the Kings' roster. With Sacramento's thin organizational depth, the nine-time All-Star certainly has a chance to serve as a floor general. With plenty of room to share ball-handling duties with summer signing Dennis Schroder, Westbrook could be very effective even in a limited capacity.

Last season, Russell Westbrook averaged 27.9 minutes per game while playing for the Denver Nuggets, scoring 13.3 points, 4.9 rebounds and 6.1 assists. Given that he could earn more playing time in Sacramento, the Kings may be looking for more production from the veteran guard. While he's unlikely to be a starter on the team, since he was recently added, it's possible he could become a starter if injuries continue to plague the lineup. At this point, the sooner Westbrook enters the main rotation, the better.

But no matter what role he plays in the team, his unique character is still the key fire that ignites the game. Whether you are his fan or not, you will be infected by his tenacious fighting spirit.