"His wife didn't love it, but it's what it was" - Skip Bayless is unapologetic about calling Russell Westbrook "Westbrick"
When you look at everything Russell Westbrook has gone through, especially during his time with the Los Angeles Lakers , it's hard to ignore the resilience he has shown. Russ became the face of the team's struggles, made to take the bulk of the blame as things fell apart.
Since then, whether with the Los Angeles Clippers , Denver Nuggets or Sacramento Kings , the 2017 MVP has consistently adjusted his role, sacrificed touches and continued to play with intensity — making a strong case for why Westbrook is widely respected all around the league.
However, Skip Bayless hasn't budged. The analysts, who famously labeled Russell to be "Westbrick," still stand by his criticism.
Moreover, in a recent interview with DJ Vlad, Skip argued that he has no reason to feel guilty, pointing out that Lakers fans themselves were critical of Russ shooting below 30.0 percent from the three-point line. In Bayless' mind, why should he regret echoing what many had already been saying?
"He deserved it, " Bayless said . "That year, he led the league in turnovers, and he finished dead last in three-point shooting. And that is a lethal combination for a 'point guard.' Pretty soon, LeBron was campaigning to get Russell Westbrook the hell out of L.A… At the Staples Center, he would go up to shoot a three-point shot, and you could hear, 'Oh, No! Don't shoot.' That was Russell Westbrick. He didn't love it, his wife didn't love it, but it's what it was."
The history of "Westbrick"
A large part of that criticism stems from the modern NBA's evolution. With the league increasingly prioritizing three-point shooting, players who thrived attacking the rim or by creating mid-range opportunities were compelled to expand their range. Westbrook is a clear example of that, as evidenced by him never reaching 35 percent from beyond the arc, even during his prime days with the Oklahoma City Thunder .
This is why Bayless suggested he started labeling Russ as "Westbrick" since his Thunder days, because even if the nine-time All-Star was inefficient, he did not need to become a high-volume three-point shooter, attempting as many as 7.2 three-pointers in a season.
"I started calling him that back in the Oklahoma City days because he was a horrible three-point shooter and a high-volume three-point shooter, " Bayless added. "For many years, he was at the very bottom of the barrel of three-point shooters."
Skip isn't afraid of Russ
Westbrook has improved big time. This season, for the depleted Kings team, he didn't just show his resilience by averaging 15.2 points per game but even shot 33.8 percent from long range — his best efficiency from deep in nine years.
However, Bayless is unimpressed. He blatantly suggested that the only way he would stop criticizing Westbrook was if he stopped attempting 3s or simply made more. And to make matters worse, the 74-year-old analyst even proclaimed how he isn't afraid of any confrontations.
"The way to shut me up is to make three-point shots or quit taking three-point shots, " Bayless concluded. "I've never actually bumped into him, but I certainly wouldn't be afraid to."
Regardless of this criticism, one thing about Westbrook that cannot be undermined is his desire to compete and never quit. Even at the age of 37, he remains one of the most gritty, physical and hard-playing guards in the league. That mindset, alone, is enough to secure him a Hall of Fame nod, regardless of disrespectful wordplay with his name from critics.
This story was originally published by Basketball Network on Apr 17, 2026, where it first appeared in the Latest News section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
