Why do People Call Russell Westbrook “Westbrick”?
Russell Westbrook is one of the most athletic, talented, and able-bodied NBA players. Playing for the Los Angeles Lakers, alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis, hopes from Lakers fans have been high for a new championship ring.
However, to say the 2021-22 NBA season hadn’t turned out how the Lakers and their fans had hoped would be an understatement. And although all the blame cannot be placed on one individual player, many fans across the league have turned against Russell Westbrook specifically.
Beginning to call Russell Westbrook, “Russell Westbrick”, these fans are taking out their anger on the former MVP. But just why do people call Russell Westbrook “Westbrick”?
Below, we will discuss where this moniker began and just why so many casual and avid fans alike have begun calling Russell Westbrook, “Russell Westbrick”.
Quick History of Russell Westbrook
Russell Westbrook III was born on November 12, 1988. A member of the NBA 75th Anniversary Team, he is a nine-time NBA All-Star and won the NBA’s Most Valuable Player Award for the 2016-17 NBA season.
In addition, he is a nine-time All-NBA Tea member and led the NBA in scoring for both the 2014-15 and 2016-17 seasons. Lastly, he won back-to-back NBA All-Star Game MVP awards in 2015 and 2016.
In 2017, the year that he won the Most Valuable Player award, Russell Westbrook would become just the second player in the history of the league to average a triple-double for the season. He also set a record for the most triple-doubles in a season, with 42.
Russell Westbrook was born in Long Beach, California. Playing the point guard position at Leuzinger High School, he stood in at only 5-feet 8-inches, weighing just 140 pounds.
However, by his junior year of high school, he had grown to his height of 6-feet and 3-inches. With the increase in height, Westbrook dominated in his senior year, averaging 25.1 points, 8.7 rebounds, 3.1 steals, and 2.3 assists. He helped his team to a 25-4 record.
Although Westbrook did not attract much attention from college recruiters initially, his phenomenal play as a high school senior led to a scholarship offer from the UCLA Bruins.
With the UCLA Bruins, Russell Westbrook would earn third-team all-conference honors in the Pac-10. He would become eligible for the 2008 NBA draft and would be selected fourth overall by the Seattle SuperSonics, who were relocating to Oklahoma City.
What is Russell Westbrook Salary with the Lakers?
We’ve previously discussed how NBA players are one of the highest paid athletes in the world, with many players averaging over $7.5 million per year. And Russell Westbrook, as a former MVP player, is not different.
Russell Westbrook signed a 5 year / $206,794,070 contract with the Oklahoma City Thunder in the 2018-19 NBA season. From that, the full $206,794,070 was guaranteed.
This would give Russell Westbrook an annual average salary of $41,358,814. In the 2021-22 NBA season, Westbrook would earn $41,358,814.
In the 2022-23 NBA season, Westbrook will earn a base salary of $47,063,478. And in the 2023-24 NBA season, Westbrook is set to earn $47,063,478.
These figures make Russell Westbrook one of the most highly paid NBA players currently in the league, setting high expectations from fans and the Los Angeles Lakers management alike.
What Are Westbrook’s Stats with the Lakers?
While NBA players definitely do get paid a lot, most avid and casual fans alike can excuse the hefty sum if the players are able to win a championship ring. Or, at the very least, make a formidable run for one.
However, since signing with the Los Angeles Lakers, Russell Westbrook’s stats and on-court performance have dipped significantly.
Nearly down across the board, Russell Westbrook is playing less minutes, making less field goals per game, attempting fewer field goals per game, and down 4.5 points per game as compared to his career average.
All of these factors have contributed in fans and Lakers management staff becoming frustrated with the player, with many fans beginning to call Russell Westbrook, Russell Westbrick.
What is a Brick in Basketball?
To understand why people and fans are calling Russell Westbrook, Russell Westbrick, it is important to first understand what a brick is in basketball. In basketball slang, a brick is a badly missed shot.
However, and notable, a brick isn’t just a missed shot, it is a shot that is so bad and so poorly shot, that it essentially ricochets and bounces haphazardly off the rim and basketball hoop.
A brick isn’t a shot that is expected in the NBA, by NBA caliber players. But with Russell Westbrook’s recent performances, he has been, quite simply, shooting bricks.
So, Why do People Call Russell Westbrook “Russell Westbrick”?
While, admittedly, the term is a bit not nice, we believe that fans, particularly Los Angeles Lakers ones, are frustrated with Russell Westbrook’s style of play and effort this past season.
By playing on his last name of Westbrook, replacing the ‘Brook’ with ‘Brick’, fans are able to poke fun at Russell’s inability to score effectively. The replacement of the word ‘Brook’ with ‘Brick’ is essentially calling out Russell and identifying his current weakness.
Can Russell Westbrook Improve?
Undoubtedly, yes, Russell Westbrook can improve. As a one-time NBA MVP, a player who previously averaged a triple-double for an entire season, and a player with superhuman strength and agility, he can take the offseason to work on his form and ensure he is ready for the upcoming season.
However, Russell Westbrook’s issues appear larger than an inability to shoot or drive to the basket. Rather, they appear to be mental, with him simply not believing in himself or his ability to perform on the court.
These are bigger issues. But they are also one’s that can be overcome via hard work, acceptance of his place and role on the team, and even by speaking with a therapist.
It’s not going to be easy and we may never see the Westbrook of Oklahoma City Thunder fame but it will be worth it.