LeBron James praised Russell Westbrook’s commitment and professionalism during their time together with the Los Angeles Lakers, saying the former NBA MVP never wanted to miss a game or practice.
Speaking with Steve Nash on the Mind the Game podcast, James reflected on their time as teammates in Los Angeles and dismissed the idea that Westbrook was a difficult teammate.
“One of the things about Russ that doesn’t get talked about is the guy never wanted to take a night off,” James said. “Wanted to play in every single game.”
James added that Westbrook also maintained the same approach in practice and received strong support from the players who shared a locker room with him.
“He never wanted to take a game off. Never wanted to take a practice off. Great dude,” James said. “You can never, it’s not going to be one person that played with him in the locker room and he’s like, man, he wasn’t a good teammate. Everyone raves about him, including myself.”
Westbrook and James played together for the Lakers during the 2021-22 season and the opening part of the 2022-23 campaign. Los Angeles acquired Westbrook from the Washington Wizards in August 2021, but the partnership lasted until February 2023, when the Lakers traded him to the Utah Jazz.
James concluded his remarks by congratulating Westbrook on the recognition he is set to receive.
“Kudos to him and that jacket, that Hall of Fame jacket is next,” James said.
The comments come amid Westbrook’s retirement in 2026 and the Thunder’s announcement that they will retire his jersey. Westbrook spent 11 seasons in Oklahoma City, averaging 23.0 points, 7.0 rebounds and 8.4 assists in 821 regular-season games for the franchise.
Westbrook’s relationship with James during their Lakers tenure was previously described differently in a 2025 report by Yaron Weitzman of The Ringer. Weitzman reported that Westbrook had become frustrated with what he perceived as a lack of sincerity from James, highlighting tensions between the former teammates during the 2022 offseason.
