Russell Westbrook’s play has been unexpectedly poor for the Los Angeles Lakers this season, and it has led to him being benched late in close games by coach Frank Vogel. As a player that has been a superstar in this league and an MVP in the last decade, this has not gone down well with the man himself, and Westbrook has made his unhappiness with the situation quite clear through various quotes to the media.
Whether he’s playing well or not, Russ’ commitment to the cause is never in doubt and he rarely misses games unless there are serious injury issues or concerns. He missed his first game of this season when the Lakers lost to the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday night thanks to stiffness in his back. And in his explanation about the injury, Russ seems to have taken another shot at the Lakers and his coach.
Russell Westbrook on his back injury: "It comes and goes. … I'm not accustomed to sitting down for long stretches" and having to get up and get up quickly.
— Ryan Ward (@RyanWardLA) February 11, 2022
“I’m not accustomed to sitting down in long stretches,” Westbrook said. “Like, getting up and then, like, moving quickly. Kind of, like, stiff up a little bit.”
Westbrook has previously spoken out about being benched as well, saying that he has earned the right to be on the floor when a game is in its crucial stages. Although he has been prone to turnovers this season, Westbrook seems confident in his ability to impact games positively in the 4th quarter even if his coaches do not seem to share the same confidence.
With the trade deadline now past, it would appear that Westbrook will have to be figured back into a prominent role for whatever the Lakers are doing this season, otherwise, it could get even messier for them than it is now. A 26-30 record is only good enough for the 9th seed in the Western Conference and the Lakers need to win their next game against the Golden State Warriors if they don’t want to lose a 3rd consecutive game.
