Frank Vogel Fires Back at Russell Westbrook After Criticism

Frank Vogel benched Russell Westbrook again. The talented veteran didn’t get a chance to finish the game alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Vogel first said that he decided to use players who can actually win the game. It was a big blow for Westbrook. Why did he bench him again?

Broddie believes that he deserves a chance to finish games. LeBron mentioned words like “accountability.” Westbrook was obviously frustrated with the decision.

“I shouldn’t have to hit any benchmark, to be honest,” Westbrook said. “I’ve put a lot of work and I’ve got a lot of respect in this game. I don’t got to hit a benchmark, or I shouldn’t have to. I’ve earned a right to be in closing lineups.”

Vogel did his thing and used players who can lead the team to a win. I guess Westbrook is not a good fit for his winning squad.

“The needs of the team always come first,” Vogel said. “We have to be willing to do whatever it takes to get the Lakers a win. Sometimes he’s going to be in there for that, sometimes he’s not.”

Westbrook’s situation in Los Angeles doesn’t look too good. The Lakers didn’t make any comments about his potential trade, but fans believe that Broddie is on his way out.

Kendrick Perkins had an advice for Westbrook and a lot of fans would agree with him on this one.

“I’m extremely bothered by Russ and those comments after the game,” Perkins said on NBA Today. “Accountability is huge and Russell Westbrook has shined away from that word for some reason.”

Frank Vogel would bench Russell Westbrook again if it helps the team win

The Lakers have a terrible record at the moment and they keep losing games. Vogel is trying really hard to make things work for the purple and gold.

“If there’s a way to improve our team, we’ll improve our team,” Vogel said. “I’ve got nothing else to say about the trade deadline.”

Things can change really fast overnight. Lakers players had to overcome a few major obstacles. Injuries and COVID made everything worse for the storied franchise. Let’s see what happens next… Westbrook is an optimist though. He is one of the most competitive players in the NBA, but things have taken a terrible turn for him. He is not the guy Rob Pelinka was looking for last offseason.

“You 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,” Westbrook told reporters. “And 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.”