Summer League: LeBron and Russ sit worlds apart, something or nothing?
By Edward Vento
![LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JULY 08: LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers attends a game between the Lakers and the Phoenix Suns during the 2022 NBA Summer League at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 08, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JULY 08: LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers attends a game between the Lakers and the Phoenix Suns during the 2022 NBA Summer League at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 08, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/702c481a43400991bb38a9711ca62cfbe3e6679253c1dd793c875c68cf24bd8d.jpg)
Let the overreactions, speculation, and hot takes begin! LeBron James and Russell Westbrook were spotted at Los Angeles Lakers Summer League action in Las Vegas this weekend. Why is this a story you ask? They sat on opposite ends of the arena, didn’t acknowledge one another and left without a word.
LeBron has been a Summer League regular since joining the Lake Show, and every time he’s there it’s with another star that drives home speculation for Laker fans and NBA fans alike. LeGM going to work.
Here’s a snippet from Jovan Buha of The Athletic on what was seen in Sin City:
"“Moments before the Lakers tipped off against the Phoenix Suns on Friday, James continued to be a summer-league tradition, sitting courtside along the baseline perpendicular to the Suns bench.All eyes in the area were on him. Players, former players, coaches, agents and executives-most notably Jerry Stackhouse, James Jones, Gary Payton II and Baron Davis-made their way over to dap up James and join the scene, which featured more than a dozen photographers documenting him from every possible angle. On the opposite end of the floor, nearly directly diagonal, Westbrook sat next to the Lakers’ bench,, even entering the huddle at one point to offer guidance.”"
Now look, just because LeBron and Russ aren’t Steve Harrington and Dustin Henderson off the court doesn’t necessarily mean there’s a rift. But when Russ’ name seemingly comes up in trade rumors every other day, it’s no surprise social media took this information and ran.
LeBron James and Russell Westbrook sitting as far away from each other as possible during the Lakers Summer League game … xoxo, gossip girl pic.twitter.com/Tut4nqFWOK
— Natasha Dye (@natashadye) July 9, 2022
Is this something or nothing for LeBron James, Russell Westbrook and the Lakers?
I personally think it’s nothing, but considering that’s the less fun answer, I’m gonna go all-in on saying it is something!
If it were to be something, could it be that LeBron knows a Russ-Kyrie trade is just about on the 2-yard line, waiting for Pete Carroll to call Marshawn Lynch’s number? Or has even just the mentions of Lebron desperately wanting Irving to be a Laker soured Russ.
I would totally get that. The Lakers gave up a lot for Russ, and he took a lot of the flack from last season’s failures. Lack of shooting, defense, and athleticism are just a few of the problems that brought the team down last season.
Russell Westbrook did not fit with the team, but he wasn’t the only problem, so understand him being upset with all the media and fans making him the scapegoat. Add Lebron wanting him traded and that’s a recipe for beef.
If it’s nothing, which let’s face it, it’s nothing, it just means Twitter needs to find other things to do. I love when social media sleuths rally behind something and try to piece together each and every clue.
But LeBron and Russ are fine. LeBron likes to be with his people during the off-season, and I see no issue with that. If this take gets exposed and the two really do want nothing to do with each other, I’ll be ready to face the music.
Only time will truly tell, but if Russell Westbrook is still a Laker when training camps come around, and there is some sort of rift, that will surely be a sight to see.