Lakers’ Odd Man Out Sounds Off on Frank Vogel’s Difficult Conversations

Los Angeles Lakers guard Wesley Matthews always finds ways to surprise head coach Frank Vogel. Recent reports reveal details of Frank Vogel’s difficult conversations.

Matthews had a really good game, averaging 16 points on 5-for-7 shooting from the field and 4-for-5 shooting from the 3-point line. This helped the team celebrate an overtime win over the Oklahoma City Thunder.

The talented player was stuck on the bench for four consecutive games. He was averaging 4.7 points in 19.5 minutes before Monday’s game. Matthews was shooting 39.7% from the field and 36.4% from the 3-point line.

Matthews talks about Frank Vogel’s difficult conversations

The veteran is ready to win games and he is ready for his benching by the head coach.

“Just a lot of faith,” Matthews told Spectrum Sports in a postgame interview. “Keeping the faith. This was obviously something different for me. I credit my coaching staff for the communication and the consistent encouragement, my teammates, my friends, my family. But work, trusting everything I have done up to this point in my career. And just staying ready. It is about being a Laker, it is about being a pro, it’s about being the best you can be whenever your number is called, whenever your name is called.”

"I credit my coaching staff for the communication and the consistent encouragement." Wesley Matthews talks post-game with @LakersReporter after finishing 4-5 from three with 16 PTS. pic.twitter.com/mtammqU8iQ

— Spectrum SportsNet (@SpectrumSN) February 9, 2021

The Lakers signed Matthews in November to provide depth to the backcourt. Many thought he would replace Avery Bradley. The front office offered him a one-year contract worth $3.6 million. Matthews is 34 and he is in his 12^th NBA season.

Vogel really liked Matthews’ performance against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

“Exceptional performance by Wes tonight,” he said on Monday. “You know, that’s the simplest way to prove it. Incredible energy, on both sides of the ball, but in particularly defensively. … With AD and Alex being out, we definitely needed his toughness on that side of the ball and he hit some big threes, where we couldn’t throw it in the ocean. So, he was great.”

Coach Vogel praises Wesley Matthews energy and overall performance against the #Thunder, talks about @KingJames' minutes and more. pic.twitter.com/riQLfervDo

— Spectrum SportsNet (@SpectrumSN) February 9, 2021

How will Matthews fit in the Lakers’ roster later in the season? We have several questions about his future with the team.