Los Angeles Lakers guard Russell Westbrook (0) warms up prior to a game against the Sacramento Kings at Crypto.com Arena. Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Is viral clip of Russell Westbrook avoiding team huddle misleading?

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports
By Darryn Albert | Last updated 10/13/22

Russell Westbrook did not look nearly as bad as one viral video this week made him appear.

A clip made the rounds of Westbrook seemingly ignoring his Los Angeles Lakers teammates' huddle prior to Wednesday’s preseason game against the Minnesota Timberwolves. The video showed Westbrook going off to the side by the bench while the rest of the team was gathered by the basket.

Take a look.

Russell Westbrook seems like he's had enough of the Lakers pic.twitter.com/aVqIUpUOed

— Playmaker (@playmaker) October 13, 2022

However, that cut of the video was seriously misleading. In fact, Westbrook was actually participating actively in the huddle with his teammates before running off to the side (when the first video began).

Here is the full clip with context.

A Russell Westbrook clip where he's seen away from another huddle is making the rounds.

If you peep the entire video, though, Russ was with his Lakers teammates at the start.

( _michaelmorales10/IG) pic.twitter.com/y72eF9dDni

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPointsApp) October 13, 2022

Others also noted that Westbrook has been running off to the side during pregame huddles since at least his days with the Oklahoma City Thunder.

and in re: to the video circulating of Westbrook not participating in the pregame huddle, him leaving the line/running to the corner after his intro has been like a decade-long thing.

— Rob Perez (@WorldWideWob) October 13, 2022

The former MVP Westbrook is entering his second season with the Lakers after an offseason where everyone and their dog knows that the team tried (and failed) to trade him. While there are some more legitimate signs that Westbrook may be unhappy in L.A., the general public should probably be wary of jumping to conclusions about the embattled Westbrook without the proper context.

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: