What did Nina Westbrook say about husband Russell Westbrook in his defense? "Vampire" comment and criticism explained

The LA Lakers traded Russell Westbrook to the Utah Jazz in a three-team trade that also involved the Minnesota Timberwolves. Following one of the biggest moves of the trade deadline, ESPN analysts gave their thoughts on what the trade meant for the Lakers and Westbrook.

Dave McMenamin claimed that an unnamed source called the point guard a “vampire,” who “sucks the blood out of the locker room.” Westbrook’s wife, Nina called out McMenamin’s comments and blasted the reporter and the network on Instagram:

“This is just sick, ESPN. Russell is no vampire. This is also slander because anyone who knows anything knows that this couldn't be further from the truth.

“On a personal note, I have school aged children who have to listen to their peers repeat the nasty things that you guys say on television about their father.

“I guess I will prepare myself to explain to my 5-year-old that his dad is not actually a vampire, and that major news outlets only say things like that to get attention.”

Last season, Nina Westbrook also passionately and heatedly defended Russell Westbrook from a ton of flak, particularly from Skip Bayless. The Fox Sports analyst made it a point to call the former OKC Thunder superstar “Westbrick” when he had a bad shooting night.

Westbrook’s feisty attitude and the LA Lakers embarrassing themselves almost night after night only added fuel to the fire. Crypto.com Arena fans booed and often whistled at their former point guard. On numerous occasions, the Lakers’ home venue reverberated with chants of “Westbrick.”

Russell Westbrook even prohibited his children from attending home games as he didn’t want them to hear the name-calling. Nina Westbrook made several passionate posts on social media about the impact of the supposedly personal criticisms thrown at her husband.

The triple-double king has turned his season around since he started coming off the bench. He has been so good in that role that he has become the betting favorite to win the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year award.

The detractors, however, are relentless. Westbrook continues to struggle in games at times, making bad decisions and turning the ball over. However, compared to last season, he’s been way better.

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Current and former NBA players are defending Russell Westbrook after the "vampire" comment went viral

Several current and former NBA players took offense to what was said about Russell Westbrook by ESPN’s Dave McMenamin.

Cleveland Cavaliers All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell started it with this:

“Stop it”

Veteran Phoenix Suns star Chris Paul urged McMenamin to do what most basketball fans wanted to know:

“Put a name on it…”

One can feel how furious Quentin Richardson was with this post:

“A source!? Knock it off and name that source or don’t tell me what they said!!”

Byron Scott finds it an exercise in futility to know where that comment originally came from:

“The source will never come forward. Everybody’s tough when there behind walls and can’t be seen. Real men say it to your face or take credit for saying it.”

Nina Westbrook, current and former NBA players and most fans couldn’t allow this slander on Russell Westbrook to pass without questioning ESPN.