Russell Westbrook shared why he has been against taking time off this season despite the struggles he and the Los Angeles Lakers have faced. Westbrook has played in all but one of the 76 games played by the Lakers this season.
“Because it’s bigger than me, man,” Westbrook told Yahoo Sports. “I’m super blessed to have a platform to be able to help show and help other people. So I’m very prideful in showing people on the outside that regardless of the situation, the circumstances that I may be going through, there are ways to be able to get through it. I strongly believe that if I’m healthy, then I’ll be able to play and go out and compete.”
Westbrook believes taking an occasional day off wouldn't be setting the right example.
“My family is my foundation,” Westbrook told Yahoo Sports. “My faith is my No. 1 foundation, and I lean on that. And anything outside of that can never waver me because I got so much confidence in those two things that regardless of whatever may come my way, I know I’m able to achieve and show people that regardless of the situation, you can make it out of this. That was really important to me.”