Russell Westbrook responds to Magic Johnson’s criticism of Lakers

When a team loses by 37 points, there will be countless reactions about the performance. That was the case for the Los Angeles Lakers Saturday after getting routed by the Denver Nuggets, 133-96.

After the game, NBA Twitter blasted Los Angeles, including Lakers legend Magic Johnson. Johnson called out the team’s lack of effort and sense of urgency, finishing the tweet by saying controlling owner and president Jeanie Buss deserves better.

Russell Westbrook had the chance to react to Johnson’s comments during his post-game conference.

“I do not have a reaction,” Westbrook said. “Everybody is entitled, in this world, to their opinion. Regardless of what that it is. You can either take it and run with it or you can take it and put it in one ear and out the other or you cannot respond to it.”

Westbrook added Magic doesn’t know what happens behinds the scenes.

“Magic’s entitled to his opinion. And he’s not here every day. He’s not around us every day. He’s not aware of what’s going on internally with us and trying to figure things out. But I have no response to that…Like I said, everyone in this world is entitled to their opinion and that’s that,” Westbrook said.

After the loss to the Sacramento Kings, head coach Frank Vogel said the team had a spirited film session afterward and the players called out the defensive plays where things went awry.

However, the players followed the loss by allowing the Nuggets to shoot a scorching 57.5% from deep on 40 attempts, leading to 133 points on the scoreboard. It’s one thing to catch mistakes on film; it’s another to apply it consistently on the court, and the Lakers have proven time and time again this season they can’t be consistent.

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NBA Twitter reacts to Lakers' 37-point loss to Nuggets