LeBron James sent a touching tribute to Russell Westbrook after the nine-time NBA All-Star announced his retirement Wednesday.Some fans, though, aren’t buying The King’s words.LeBron has been slammed for his message to a retiring WestbrookGettyWestbrook, who played 18 seasons with seven different teams, called time on his legendary career in social media post narrated by actor Michael B. Jordan. “Sometimes you don’t even know when you’ve already watched the end,” the 37-year-old, renowned as one of the most stylish players in the league, wrote.“You had to be there. And now it’s over.”Westbrook walks away having put together one of the most statistically robust careers in NBA history.Despite never winning a championship, he was crowned the league’s Most Valuable Player in 2017, and holds three single-season assists and two single-season scorning crowns.He retire with 209 triple-doubles, the most in league history, 11 more than Nikola Jokić in second.The explosive point guard had a record 42 triple-doubles during his historic 2016-17 MVP season, when he also became the first player since the legendary Oscar Robertson (1961-62) to average a triple-double over a full season.Westbrook played much of his career with the Oklahoma City Thunder, where he teamed with fellow greats Kevin Durant and James Harden to lead the team to a Western Conference title in 2012.OKC came up short against the Miami Heat and MVP LeBron in the NBA Finals that year.Nearly a decade on, Westbrook and James became teammates on the Los Angeles Lakers.Westbrook established himself as an NBA great during his time with the ThunderGettyFans call out LeBron James’ message to Russell Westbrook after Lakers beef“HELLUVA CAREER BRODIE,” LeBron, who will return for his 24th year in 2026, wrote on Westbrook’s retirement announcement. “HOF [Hall of Fame] next!!”While the message appeared touching, some fans believe James was showing ‘fake love’ to his former teammate, given how their time together in Los Angeles unfolded.Fans weren’t impressed by LeBron’s ‘fake’ message on Westbrook’s Instagram postInstagram: russwest44But he struggled alongside LeBron (L) and Davis (C) on the LakersGettyWestbrook joined the Lakers in 2021, three years after LeBron became the face of the franchise.But his fit simply didn’t work alongside The King and Anthony Davis, and it all turned quite ugly.Westbrook was slammed for his perceived poor play, and was reduced to little more than a sixth man role in his second year, where he started just three games.The Lakers, who have just been sold for a world record price, failed to make the playoffs in his down season, and LeBron was reported at the time to be behind a push to trade his teammate away.Following his message on Westbrook’s retirement, some fans labelled King James ‘disingenuous’.Westbrook played for three different teams after leaving the Lakers in 2023Getty“That fake love s*** is so irritating,” one wrote on social media.“Ain’t you the one who ruined his career?” another asked.“Bron is the reason why Russ got traded and kept getting vet minimums,” a third claimed.“Actin’ like nothing even happened,” a fourth said, referencing the pair’s time on the Lakers.James, of course, likely just wanted to share his appreciation for a fellow NBA great with a simple message, regardless of their relationship. Westbrook will probably appreciate the message, even if plenty of fans don’t.