Skip Bayless’ “meet the bad guy” routine continues with less Scarface bite and more hot take gas. The co-host of “Undisputed” regained his focus on disparaging Russell Westbrook after the Lakers’ draft choices, resuming his “Westbrick” harassment.
During the 2022 NBA draft on Thursday, when the Los Angeles Lakers selected Max Christie, Bayless took to Twitter to criticize the move. He felt that the Michigan State shooting guard’s 32 percent shooting average from three last season only fed into the Lakers’ current woes.
However, in true Bayless style, he had to throw a dig in there.
“Lakers acquire a 2nd-round pick, take
Michigan State’s Max Christie, who shot only 32% from 3 last season. Perfect! He’ll fit right in with LeBron and Westbrick.”
Of course, the Lakers star heard the chatter, and he replied to the tweet in a way reminiscent of Freeway’s verse on “1-900-Hustler,”
“First things first, watch what you say out your mouth
When you talkin on the phone to hus-tlers.”
Yoooo… watch your mouth. Don’t say anything here you wouldn’t say to my face. https://t.co/0u8nFXYLY8
— Russell Westbrook (@russwest44) June 25, 2022
The Lakers star’s wife chimed in on the Westbrook slander Bayless lobs with abandon.
“It’s very disheartening that you would choose to continue to shame my family name. Today was a really sad day my daughters and me. The fact that you can’t respect a simple request not to try to tarnish my family name is saddening and such a pile on. It’s extremely hurtful.”
Back in March, Russell and Nina Westbrook told the world they would not tolerate the slander, and their family was getting tired of the Lakers star shaming “Westbrick.”
It’s very disheartening that you would choose to continue to shame my family name. Today was a really sad day my daughters and me. The fact that you can’t respect a simple request not to try to tarnish my family name is saddening and such a pile on. It’s extremely hurtful.
— Nina Westbrook (@ninawestbrook) June 25, 2022
The Lakers were the pariahs of the NBA analyst circuit for their perceived lackluster last season. It has brought more hype than substance with a superstar team roster of veterans. The commentary crews have placed most of the blame on Westbrook.
None more so than Skip Bayless, who coined the term “Westbrick.”
Nina Westbrook penned a letter on social media in early March after seeing that Skip Bayless blocked her on social media. She attempted to remind him that she, too, is a person with a family. In the world of sports entertainment, no one remembers the casualties of habitual broadcast bullying are the children.
Nina Westbrook, Russell Westbrook's wife is a legend pic.twitter.com/LNoexJ9yBc
— J 🐳 (@RockTheBabyRuss) March 4, 2022
Even professional heckler and current ESPN NBA analyst Kendrick Perkins had to bring in Quavo from the Migos to check his verse on the song, “F**k 12,” from his 2018 debut solo album, “Quavo Honcho.”
“Every time your b***h phone when she workin’ / Get no playin’ time, Kendrick Perkins.”
Perkins said his children recited the verse at home, and it lit a fire in him to know that Perk slander was now part of his kids’ lifestyle soundtrack.
Westbrook drove the point home last season after a San Antonio Spurs game.
“I’ve kind of let it go in the past because it never really bothered me. But it really kind of hit me the other day. Me and my wife were at teacher-parent conference for my son, and the teacher told me, ‘Noah, he’s so proud of his last name.
“He writes it everywhere. He writes it on everything. He tells everybody and walks around and says, ‘I’m Westbrook.’ And I kind of sat there in shock, and it hit me, like, ‘Damn. I can no longer allow people, for example, now “Westbrick” to me is now shaming my name, my legacy for my kids.”
As social media and real-life continue to collide in the world of sports entertainment, only time will tell what the tipping point will be.
