The Los Angeles Lakers’ short-lived experiment of pairing Russell Westbrook with LeBron James and Anthony Davis continues to attract scrutiny years later.

In a new excerpt from journalist Yaron Weitzman’s forthcoming NBA book, revelations have surfaced that Westbrook viewed James as “fake,” reportedly growing frustrated with the superstar’s behavior and perceived lack of authenticity during their 2021–22 season collapse.

According to the excerpt, tension peaked during a team event featuring actor Will Smith. As Smith arrived to give a motivational talk, both James and Davis mysteriously left the room—a moment that reportedly irritated Westbrook.

Fellow teammate Patrick Beverley allegedly told him that LeBron and Davis “can do whatever they want,” reinforcing a sense of double standards in the locker room.

When the two stars returned to greet Smith, Weitzman writes that Westbrook was visibly annoyed by LeBron’s overly enthusiastic demeanor. A subsequent team photo showed Westbrook expressionless, symbolizing the disconnect that had quietly grown between the Lakers’ leading figures.

“Fake” Behavior and Fractured Chemistry

Weitzman’s book goes further, detailing Westbrook’s exasperation with James’s public image. The former MVP allegedly cited instances where James appeared disingenuous, claiming a favorite film but failing to recall key details, or referencing books he hadn’t evidently read. Westbrook reportedly found such habits emblematic of LeBron’s carefully curated persona, deepening his mistrust.

This revelation aligns with the broader narrative that the Lakers’ “Big Three” combination never meshed off or on the floor. Despite early optimism, Los Angeles’s campaign deteriorated amid injuries, role confusion, and internal friction, ending with Westbrook’s eventual trade and the dismantling of the experiment.

Lessons for the Post-LeBron Era

The renewed insights into the Lakers’ dysfunction serve as both a postmortem and a cautionary tale. Superteams built purely on star power, as Weitzman’s excerpt suggests, can collapse without chemistry or mutual respect. 

For James, now in the twilight of his career yet thriving alongside Luka Doncic, the episode underscores how perceptions of leadership can shape legacies as much as championships.

Westbrook’s candid view paints a rare, unfiltered portrayal of NBA stardom—one where egos, image, and authenticity remain in constant tension under the bright Los Angeles lights.