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Russell Westbrook-Skip Bayless feud, explained: Lakers star claps back after host tweets 'Westbrick'

David Suggs

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Russell Westbrook-Skip Bayless feud, explained: Lakers star claps back after host tweets 'Westbrick' image

Skip Bayless just can't stop talking about Russell Westbrook.

The FS1 host was highly vocal about the Lakers during the 2021-22 NBA season. He blamed Westbrook, LeBron James and Anthony Davis for the team's collective failings.

And although some of his criticism was warranted, Bayless' comments always seem to straddle the line between fair and excessive.

Case in point: what he tweeted Thursday night. Los Angeles wasn't the biggest mover and shaker in the 2022 NBA Draft. It made a trade with the Magic, acquiring the No. 35 pick in exchange for a future second-round pick and cash.

With that 35th pick, the Lakers selected Michigan State guard Max Christie. He didn't exactly set the record books alight in his one year with the Spartans, averaging a hair under 10 points per game on 38/32/82 shooting.

MORE: Who is Max Christie, Lakers' 2022 draft pick?

Bayless took to Twitter after the pick, throwing a sly dig at Westbrook and James for their perceived poor shooting.

Westbrook didn't take Bayless' tweet lying down. He clapped back Friday night, telling Bayless to "watch his mouth." 

Bayless responded back, saying he felt Westbrook was "trying to turn himself into a victim" after his season with the Lakers.

This isn't the first time Westbrook and Bayless have clashed. It likely won't be the last time. Here's a quick rundown of the beef between the two over the years.

MORE: Westbrook addresses harassment, 'Westbrick' taunts from fans

Skip Bayless-Russell Westbrook beef, explained

If you ask Bayless, Westbrook — and his legion of adoring fans — sparked the feud.

In March, Bayless, speaking on his podcast, "The Skip Bayless Show," recalled an experience with Westbrook from 2012. Bayless, an Oklahoma City native, said he received death threats on his return to the city because he criticized Westbrook and his performances.

Bayless said that he and Westbrook interacted with one another at some point that year. According to Bayless, Westbrook smirked and laughed at him, giving him a look that said Bayless wasn't "bleep."

Bayless' critiques over the years have also drawn the ire of Westbrook's former OKC teammate Kevin Durant. KD, whom Bayless says he admired when he first came into the league, has had his own run-ins with Bayless and former co-host Stephen A. Smith.

Durant has long voiced frustration with how people like Bayless talk about the game. According to Bayless, that's a result of Westbrook's animosity toward him.

MORE: Kevin Durant lights up Skip Bayless after Twitter praise: 'I really don't like u'

Bayless continued his assault on Westbrook as the All-Star point guard moved to the Rockets, Wizards and, now, Lakers. The beef got so intense that Westbrook's wife, Nina, took to Instagram to highlight how Bayless had time and time again spoken out of turn about her husband.

It reached a new level Friday when Westbrook blasted Bayless for his tweet on draft night, before Bayless responded back on Sunday.

David Suggs

David Suggs Photo

David Suggs is a content producer at The Sporting News. A long-suffering Everton, Wizards and Commanders fan, he has learned to get used to losing over the years. In his free time, he enjoys skateboarding (poorly), listening to the likes of Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye and D’Angelo, and penning short journal entries.