NBA

Russell Westbrook takes a shot at Lakers coach Frank Vogel

Los Angeles Lakers guard Russell Westbrook seemingly took a shot at coach Frank Vogel for once again benching him late in a game. Check out what he said.

Russell Westbrook
Ā© Jared C. Tilton/Getty ImagesRussell Westbrook

This has been a tough year for Russell Westbrook. Instead of a dream homecoming with the Los Angeles Lakers, he’s been the team’s scapegoat and fans don’t seem too pleased with his performance, at all.

Westbrook’s poor shooting and erratic decision-making havehurt the team at times. Also, he failed to step up when LeBron James and/or Anthony Davis were out with injury, and his defensive effort hasn’t been there.

Then again, one would think a player making $40 million and a former MVP and Scoring Champion would be on the court in crunch time. That’s why he’s not exactly pleased with Frank Vogel’s decision to bench him.

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Lakers News: Did Russell Westbrook Take A Shot At Frank Vogel?

So, following another tough loss, this time to the Milwaukee Bucks; Westbrook said that he tried to comfort James and Davis but unfortunately, he wasn’t on the court to actually do more to help his team:

ā€œI told them I wished I could help them,ā€ Westbrook said.ā€œBut I wasn’t in the game to help them out… But that’s not my call.ā€

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The former Oklahoma City Thunder star was later asked about his feelings on the rotation and not playing in the clutch. There, he seemingly took a shot at Vogel for how he’s dealt with his situation:

ā€œYou never know when you’re coming in, you never know when you’re coming out. You never know when you’re playing, you never know… a bunch of things,ā€ Westbrook explained. ā€œAnd I’m speaking for me personally, so it’s a difficult process to be able to figure out and create some rhythm and some consistency where we can actually see what we’re able to do as a team, but those decisions are made by him and his coaching staff, and you’ve got to live with it and move on… No. He hasn’t (been clear with his role). But I don’t need him to be clear. He makes whatever decision he makes, and that’s up to him. My job as a professional is to come to work, be in a positive mindset, put my head down and do my work to the best of my ability and be there to encourage my teammates. That’s it.ā€

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Vogel has been doubtedand questioned since his days with the Indiana Pacers, so this isn’t exactly a surprise. Then again, Westbrook has been nearly unplayable this season and that’s entirely up to him.

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