Google News Russell Westbrook responds to Magic Johnson ripping Lakers
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Los Angeles Lakers legend Magic Johnson ripped the Lakers following a humiliating 133-96 loss to the Denver Nuggets. The Lakers, who entered the season as one of the top favorites for the NBA title, underperformed once again this year as the Nuggets absolutely blew them off the court.
The Lakers now own a 21-22 record and sit at No. 7 on the Western Conference standings. "We as Lakers fans can accept being outplayed but we deserve more than a lack of effort and no sense of urgency," Johnson tweeted to his 5.1 million followers.
"Owner Jeanie Buss, you deserve better."
After being blown out by the Nuggets 133-96, we as @Lakers fans can accept being outplayed but we deserve more than a lack of effort and no sense of urgency. Owner @JeanieBuss, you deserve better.
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) January 16, 2022
Russell Westbrook was asked about the Johnson tweet
Westbrook, who has been one of the most criticized Lakers players this seaosn, was asked about the tweet Johnson posted.
"I do not have a reaction," said Westbrook, who scored 19 points on 7-for-15 shooting, an improvement from his recent shooting slump. "Everybody is entitled, in this world, to their opinion. Regardless of what that it is.
You can either take it and run with it or you can take it and put it in one ear and out the other or you cannot respond to it. "Magic's entitled to his opinion. And he's not here every day. He's not around us every day.
He's not aware of what's going on internally with us and trying to figure things out. But I have no response to that. ... Like I said, everyone in this world is entitled to their opinion and that's that." After the brutal Nuggets loss, Westbrook underlined the Lakers have to play hard.
"We just got to play hard," Westbrook said. "Sometimes, the schemes and how you play doesn't really matter. You got to just play hard sometimes. Teams are playing harder than us, simple as that." Dwight Howard agreed with Westbrook.
"It's not too much I can really say about it. We've been saying it all year," Howard said. "So I shouldn't have to keep saying. But, you know, he's right." Howard is still optimistic the Lakers can do big things this year.
"You can't stop believing that you're gonna win and just say, 'Ah, f--- it, let's give up,'" Howard said. "We know we've put ourselves in a pretty tough predicament, but all it takes is a couple games and some good energy and some positivity, so just got to stay as positive as we can."