Lakers Star Russell Westbrook Contradicts Frank Vogel on Benching

Russell Westbrook is fine with the decision head coach Frank Vogel made. The Los Angeles Lakers head coach decided to bench Westbrook in the game against the Indiana Pacers. The veteran was a bit frustrated on the floor. Now Westbrook says that he and Vogel didn’t talk about the benching.

“Honestly, no conversations,” Broddie said. “Since I’ve been here — since Day 1 — my objective has been team-first and finding ways to win. Coming to a new system, team and organization, I’m a guy who likes to adjust and make my teammates better around me. Since I’ve been here, I’ve done everything the coaching staff has asked of me to do. I’m just trying to do it to the best of my ability so we can become the best team and the one we sought out to be that can win a championship at the end of the year.”

"Since day one, my objective has been team first and finding ways to win."

– Russell Westbrook via @NBATV pic.twitter.com/Pm9k2siXin

— LakeShow (@LakeShowCP) January 22, 2022

Russell Westbrook has to win more games under Frank Vogel

In the win over the Orlando Magic, Westbrook scored 18 points, 11 rebounds, and seven assists. It was great. He shot 8-17 from the field. It wasn’t great, but LeBron James said Westbrook is the “head of the snake.”

In the postgame press conference, Vogel talked about his connection with Westbrook.

“Russ is a high-character guy,” he said. “We knew he was gonna respond. We communicated afterwards to make sure that he understood what was going on, that we were just coaching to win the game, and to turn the page onto Orlando. And he did a great job of maintaining that focus, and we’re all committed to this group getting the job done.”

Reporters wanted to know more about Westbrook’s relationship with his head coach. Are there any problems?

“I think the communication is fine,” the star said. “Frank made a decision that he felt was best. My job as a player and professional is to do my job, continue to find ways to be able to help impact winning, and that’s all I was thinking about and turning the page to do. And that’s what I tried to do tonight.”

So, Westbrook and his players have to win more games to keep their job. The same goes to the head coach. A lot of people say that Frank Vogel should leave the Lakers. The front office said that his job is safe for now.