LeBron James once claimed that he predicted Kobe Bryant would score 70 before his famous 81-point outing in 2006. Another time, he claimed “The Godfather” was his favorite movie, but was unable to recite a line from the film when asked about it in a news conference.
These stories are harmless in the grand scheme of things when considered individually. But for former Lakers teammate Russell Westbrook, they combine to say something larger about James’ character.
NBA writer Yaron Weitzman’s new book, “A Hollywood Ending: The Dreams and Drama of the LeBron Lakers”, documents the various stages of James’ tenure in Los Angeles. One of its topics includes Westbrook’s short time with the Lakers from 2021-2023. In an excerpt published by The Ringer on Monday, Weitzman writes about the nine-time All-Star’s frustration with James and his perceived “fake” habits.
“This, in Westbrook’s view, was who LeBron was. And he was done putting up with it,” Weitzman writes.
It’s no secret that Westbrook’s tenure with the Lakers didn’t go according to plan. When he was acquired from the Washington Wizards in 2021, the veteran was brought in to be the missing piece for a Lakers team hoping to get back to the NBA Finals. The experiment came to an end just 18 months later, when Westbrook was shipped off to the Utah Jazz.
According to Weitzman, Westbrook’s relationship with James, which started on a high note, fractured quickly. After a very disappointing 2021-22 season for Westbrook and the Lakers as a whole, things were not going well on the court to begin the following season. As he had the season prior, Westbrook shouldered a lot of the blame for the struggles.
While James appeared to defend his teammates with the media, it felt inauthentic to Westbrook. James’ repeated use of the phrase “let Russ be Russ” with media after games bothered Westbrook. He didn’t feel it was genuine because it didn’t match the attitude he received behind the scenes.
“I think nobody understands what that means,” Westbrook told reporters in 2021. “I think people just say it.”
After the 2021-22 season, Westbrook was asked about the repeated use of the phrase.
“That wasn’t true,” Westbrook said. “So let’s be honest.”
It reached a breaking point for Westbrook early in the 2022-23 season. Los Angeles was off to an 0-3 start, and the team was gathered for a film session. General manager Rob Pelinka informed the group that actor Will Smith would be visiting the practice facility as a special guest. When the session ended, Pelinka was set to bring Smith up to meet the players.
James reportedly said, “Y’all got this,” and walked out a back door. Anthony Davis soon followed right after him. The team was taken aback, and Westbrook asked if they were all leaving. Guard Patrick Beverley insisted the rest of the team had to stay and began arguing with Westbrook, who wondered why Davis and James were exempt from the visit. Head coach Darvin Ham eventually left the room and came back with James and Davis.
When Smith arrived, James asked numerous questions about his new movie. The actor’s visit is documented with a photo posted to the Lakers’ social media accounts, in which James is smiling and Westbrook is not.
Huge thank you to Will Smith, who joined the team to discuss strength through togetherness, and practicing gratitude in times of great challenge. All themes in his forthcoming masterpiece film, Emancipation.
🎙 | Lakers Genius Talk pic.twitter.com/H2Pt0bmBhr
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) October 26, 2022
“I hate that fake s—,” Westbrook later told a teammate, according to Weitzman. “I just can’t do it.”
Westbrook was traded to the Jazz just four months later in February 2023, ending a turbulent stint with the Lakers. His relationship with James has reportedly never recovered, as he admitted in a May 2025 interview.
A reporter asks Russell Westbrook if he gave LeBron James any tips for the Met Gala
“I haven’t talked to Bron in—I don’t know how long.”😅
(h/t @NotLikeRuss / @Fullcourtpass )
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) May 6, 2025
Among the book’s other revelations, Weitzman writes on the complications surrounding the 2019 Davis trade, which was recently excerpted by The Athletic.
“A Hollywood Ending: The Dreams and Drama of the LeBron Lakers” is set to be released on Tuesday.
