Is LW a jerk?

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oleboy41

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I've been wondering this for a while. I like him as a player but his body language has always been bad. If a teammate makes a mistake or turns the ball over its not rare at all to see him throw his arms down in a mini tantrum. He's also just always seemed kind of distant from the rest of his teammates to me as well. I remember when the BTN followed the team for the 07 season of The Road, LW was never even on camera. I wondered if its just because he's quiet or because he's not around his teammates. Also his play can most definitely be described as selfish much of the time as he almost always looks for his own shot and consistently fails to dish to open guys while taking tough shots himself. I'm asking this just because I'm wondering if others have thought this too or if I"m being irrational
 

I don't think there is going to be a lot of feedback on your question because I don't think people want to admit that they probably see the same thing.

Every time I watch Westbrook he's only happy when he's scoring; and even if he is, he's furious if he's not scoring more (missed FT's for example, he'll throw a fit if he misses, even if we're up by 25). Passing is a complete last resort, and he seems to yell at Nolen quite a bit to get him the ball more.

You often see DJ, Nolen, Cobbs, Carter, Hoff, Bostick, etc. giving high fives, laughing, waving the towel if they're on the bench, cheering on their teammates, but I can't remember the last time I've seen Westbrook cheering anyone on.

Maybe he's just a really quiet player who keeps to himself, but it just doesn't look good on TV when he wears that scowl so often, even when we're playing well as a team. Even if he isn't a jerk/selfish, it makes him appear that way unfortunately.
 

You probably won't hear much about this topic while he's on the team, but if there's something to it, I wouldn't be surprised to hear about it next year when he's gone. He did chose to workout on his own last summer and his father has a bit of a reputation for being a stage dad. That said, is there anyone on the team better at creating their own shot or who you'd give the ball to make a crucial bucket other than Westbrook?
 

I forgot to mention too that the reason I was compelled to post this was today he went to the bench after he picked up his third foul and when he sat down he punched the chair. Cobbs grabbed his arm and said something to him and LW yanked his arm away and appeared to say 'get off me' looking real pissed off. LW obviously isn't a criminal or an idiot or anything but from what I've seen on the court over the last few years he doesn't seem like a very good teammate
 

Don't forget about the times he looks for his old man in the crowd when he gets frustrated and things don't go his way. In fact, I've heard Mr. Westbrook has been known to be at practice ala Mr. Humphries but I think Tubby nipped that in the bud...
 


I thought I saw him giving high fives to Hoff. when they were sitting on the bench. I think he's a very intense player which we need.
 

I think he's actually............

been better passing the ball this year.....he has found Hoff spotted up several times...and face it, when Al doesn't look to score as much, the role is going to fall to the wing players.

And also.....we would be 1-1 in conference without him.
 

leftyslefty said:
And also.....we would be 1-1 in conference without him.
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I don't think anyone is arguing against what he brings to the scoreboard in terms of numbers, but more the "chemistry" part of how the team acts around each other (noting the documented fight in the locker room between Westbrook and Nolen).
 

oleboy41 said:
I forgot to mention too that the reason I was compelled to post this was today he went to the bench after he picked up his third foul and when he sat down he punched the chair. Cobbs grabbed his arm and said something to him and LW yanked his arm away and appeared to say 'get off me' looking real pissed off. LW obviously isn't a criminal or an idiot or anything but from what I've seen on the court over the last few years he doesn't seem like a very good teammate
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I played college ball with a guy like this. One time he was getting pissy after turning the ball over. I told him to calm down and get his head in the game and he tried to shove me over the scorer's table. Kid wasn't a jerk in general (I liked hanging out with him off the court), just a little over intense when he was playing. I can't tell if LW is like that or if its a more like what others are seeing.
 



Sorry, we don't hang out much anymore.
 

forestlaker said:
I thought I saw him giving high fives to Hoff. when they were sitting on the bench. I think he's a very intense player which we need.
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And he was jumping up and down against Penn State when Damian finally made a lay-up. He just wants to win, nothing more, nothing less.
 

ShowinGoldyLove said:
I don't think anyone is arguing against what he brings to the scoreboard in terms of numbers, but more the "chemistry" part of how the team acts around each other (noting the documented fight in the locker room between Westbrook and Nolen).
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That wasn't a fight or in the locker room...
 

From the Barn said:
That wasn't a fight or in the locker room...
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Sorry, heated verbal discussion, and film room.

Let's put it this way, it had to be serious enough that Tubby decided to bench 2 of his starting players for one of the biggest non-conference games of the year.
 



Nothing to this...

I saw the exchange between Cobbs and LW. It did seem odd, but I don't think there's anything to be concerned about.

He's just intense, plain and simple. Cripes, my volleyball teammates, softball teammates and golf partners say the same thing about me sometimes, that it doesn't look like I'm having fun. Some people are just grinders I think.

Put it this way... LW's a senior. The way rumors swirl and crap is thrown around, particularly on the net, if he was a poor teammate, something would have come out long before now.

There's nothing to this, end of story, at least IMO.
 

I have no idea if he's a jerk, but I'm sure glad he plays for the Gophers. Just got back from the game awhile ago and am surprised to see Lawrence (again) getting criticized here. I thought Lawrence looked his typical self today, a fearless, intense competitor who wears his emotions on his sleeves. Sometimes it doesn't look the best, true, but I'm kinda' glad there's a melting pot of personalities on the Gopher team. Not every player has to play like or have the facial expressions of a choir boy. As long as they keep their nose clean off the court, keep up on the books, have the will to win & compete their a*s off (which Lawrence does), I'm cool with that.

Gophers were solid today. That's what you do with an inferior opponent, especially on the road, put the hammer down right away. I actually feel pretty bad for Iowa. They're going through what we did in the downest of down Monson years. Not a lot of talent there, though I was impressed with the May kid. Felt especially bad for Lickliter's kid. He's being forced to play, and he had no chance against the Gophers' pressure.

We did what we needed to do since the 4-3 start. ... hold serve, avoid the bad loss & win 7 straight vs. inferior opposition. Now the hard part, playing at Purdue. Not expecting a W in Mackey, but get through next week 3-1 and we're off to a good start in the Big 10.

One more thing. As others have noted, WE NEED TO FINISH AT THE FREAKING RIM.
 


oleboy41 said:
I forgot to mention too that the reason I was compelled to post this was today he went to the bench after he picked up his third foul and when he sat down he punched the chair. Cobbs grabbed his arm and said something to him and LW yanked his arm away and appeared to say 'get off me' looking real pissed off. LW obviously isn't a criminal or an idiot or anything but from what I've seen on the court over the last few years he doesn't seem like a very good teammate
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I seen this also and just prior to him picking up his third foul the ref missed the Iowa player hooking him. I can understand him being pissed. (Scorer going to the bench missing floor time. Just got jobbed on a call.) Like someone else wrote, he wears his emotions on his sleeve. I know I've said this before, but I'm always impressed by how tough he is for his size. The dude is fearless. On another thread people are talking about the Gophers not making their layups. To me, Westbrook is one of the best finishers on the team. He takes the contact and still finds a way to complete.
 

LW

I have been watching and wondering the same thing for the last 2 1/2 years. At first, I really thought he was a jerk and a bad teammate. I have noticed and commented on the father thing that goes on when his dad is in the crowd. The more I watch, the more I agree with several posters that it is his intensity. He does get upset when things don't go right with the team, he does get upset when he misses a freethrow, I truely think he expects to make every one of them. If you watch him close he does ineract with his teammates, I mostly notice this with Blake. They seem to get along well. Since the "fight" and the 3 loses, I think LW has been playing very good basketball. He does wear his emotions so everyone can see.
 


Addressing the label of him being selfish, I only needed to watch the Iowa highlight reel from BTN to see LW setting up Blake not once but twice for two of his three pointers. I think it is his focus and intensity.
 

Where do these topics come from. LM is a competitor... maybe he doesn't fit into the MN Nice column as he likes to shoot first and ask questions later. Fine by me as we won't win without someone like him on the team. He wants to be the man...which is exactly what this team needs. As others have stated, if he was a dink...he would not be here at this point. And citing a 2007 story about LW? He had just arrived here from Zona and the program was a mess...I don't blame him for being a recluse.
 

I totally agree with Hodger. LW is a fierce competitor who is aggressive and is not short of confidence...in other words, I always hope we have an LW on our team. He will frustrate us at times (as all players will) but if we have a LW on our roster every year we'll be building the right type of roster.

Go Gophers!!
 

I am a big Westy fan

leftyslefty said:
been better passing the ball this year.....he has found Hoff spotted up several times...and face it, when Al doesn't look to score as much, the role is going to fall to the wing players.

And also.....we would be 1-1 in conference without him.
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I admit to being a BIG Westbrook fan. There is no Gopher I would rather have taking the last shot or free throws.

The young man is intense and tough. His intensity spills out frequently but if and when it were a problem I am confident Tubby would take care of it.

I will miss him when he graduates.
 

ShowinGoldyLove said:
I don't think there is going to be a lot of feedback on your question because I don't think people want to admit that they probably see the same thing.
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I don't think LW is a jerk, but I know ShowinGoldyLove is one.
 

TO clarify I also love LW's competitiveness but I think some of you are glossing over some things. The one thing that stands out to me was the Wisky game last year. Pryor to him saving the day there was a a play when one of our guys (I think Carter) turned the ball over. LW threw up his hands and did the lil kid pout all the while Wisky was racing back up court. Carter hustled back (passing LW) and fouled a guy on a layup attempt which is what made the comeback possible. Being competitive is great but you DON'T have to pout. I love the guy and he's a senior and our best scorer but I wish he'd show some composure at times when he's not shooting the rock
 

Put 22 attitudes like Westbrook on the....

Gopher football team and they play in the BCS Championship Game. He led the team in assists yesterday and with the 40# weight loss other than Nolan he is there best defensive player.
 

MillionMoves said:
I don't think LW is a jerk, but I know ShowinGoldyLove is one.
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Come on now, we can all have our opinions without being called jerks can't we? I'm glad LW is on our team. I think he's intense, and a great competitor. But I've seen a number of reactions from LW that looked less than exemplary when interacting with his teammates. That's all the original poster was commenting on.
 

LW's attitude works on teams that win. It doesn't work on teams that lose. Since I consider the Gophs winners and not losers, I'm glad he's on the team.

What I really wish this team had was a Miles Tarver type of player. Someone that does all of the dirty work AND gets under the skin of opponents. I'm not talking about a cheapshot artist. I'm talking about someone that just has that perma-grin on his face and isn't afraid to throw his weight around. DJ is our dirty work guy but he doesn't have Tarver's on-the-court personality. I've always hoped that TM is a more athletic version of Tarver. Maybe we'll get to see that next year.

Winning teams have Westbrook's and Tarver's on them. The former is fiery and can light a fire when needed. The latter does what's always asked of him while frustrating the heck out of the opponent.
 

Anyone hear him interviews 830 after the Penn State game? He is a head case that thinks very highly of himself and is not shy about it. Thats the attitude some guy's need in order to take the BIG shots. It works for him, so no complaints here.
 

oleboy41 said:
TO clarify I also love LW's competitiveness but I think some of you are glossing over some things. The one thing that stands out to me was the Wisky game last year. Pryor to him saving the day there was a a play when one of our guys (I think Carter) turned the ball over. LW threw up his hands and did the lil kid pout all the while Wisky was racing back up court. Carter hustled back (passing LW) and fouled a guy on a layup attempt which is what made the comeback possible. Being competitive is great but you DON'T have to pout. I love the guy and he's a senior and our best scorer but I wish he'd show some composure at times when he's not shooting the rock
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+1
 

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