Lakers star Russell Westbrook told ESPN that he didn’t agree with the team’s decision to bench him during the deciding minutes of Wednesday’s loss to Indiana, writes ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. Asked if he was surprised by the decision, Westbrook confirmed that he hadn’t been expecting it.
“Surprised, yes. I was disappointed I didn’t go back in, but I’m more disappointed that we lost the damn game,” Westbrook said. “I want to be able to be on the floor to help my teammates and be able to help our team win in games like that — but that was a decision that was made.”
As we outlined on Thursday, head coach Frank Vogel and his staff – with the support of management – opted to bench Westbrook with 3:52 left in the game after the nine-time All-Star continued to struggle with his shot and failed to execute on defense. Vogel later told reporters he was “playing the guys that I thought were going to win the game.”
Although Westbrook wasn’t thrilled by the decision, he suggested in comments to ESPN that he’s more concerned about the team’s win-loss record than his own role, adding that the Lakers have to “figure s— out and do what’s best for our team to win in the long run” and that he’s “committed to making this work.”
The 33-year-old was also upset with the perception that he left the arena on Wednesday without speaking to the media because he was angry about his benching. According to Wojnarowski, both Westbrook and the team said on Thursday that the organization had requested he skip a postgame interview.
“Ultimately, you have to be OK when s–t doesn’t go well and I’m OK,” Westbrook said. “I’ve done everything that’s been asked of me here, and I’ll continue to do so and ride this out as long as we can toward our ultimate goal — and that’s to win a championship.
“… I’m not the ultimate decision-maker of if it’s working — or if it’s not working. I’m OK with sacrificing some of the things that I’ve been able to do in this game to win, because that’s the most important part of this game. I’ve done everything they’ve asked me to do to this point.”
Westbrook’s numbers – including a scoring average of 18.5 PPG – are down across the board through 45 games with the Lakers, and the team has a sub-.500 record (22-23) after entering the preseason as conference favorites. Still, the veteran guard remains confident that both he and the club can turn things around.
“I want to get better as the season goes on, and I’ve got to take responsibility for the things I’m doing and how I’m making those around me better,” Westbrook said. “We have a legitimate chance to be able to win it all, and to do that, I’ll have to better — and I know that I will be.”
Russ should’ve added that the delay in his commenting on a Wednesday game on Friday was due to LBJ not reading his messages and late to give his ok.
any possibility we could spend our time talking about rookies or something? there is an article about Russ every week scrutinizing his play, and none of them say something we all don’t already know.
he’s an aging superstar, there’s not that much more to it.
He’s an aging player
That’s also true? Lol.
Average +/- in 4th quarter for last 12 games where they went 6-6
LeBron +1.6 with 7 + games and 5 – games
Russ -0.1 with 5 + games and 6 – games (didn’t play 4th Q in one game)
Other Starters who played in 4th Q +1.0
The average starter who played in the the 4th Q has a higher +/- than Russ.
1st Quarter Russ averages a 0 +/- in the 1st Q with 6 + games and 6 – games.
Obviously the intent is to annoy Westbrook until he demands to be released with a buyout right? That player option for next season is ridiculous so he should really just smile, kickback and enjoy his front row seats.
For a guy (Russ) who doesn’t like getting “yelled at like his kids”, he sure does whine like a huge baby.
I’m reading these comments as nothing but professional, don’t see the “whining like a huge baby.” Although I’ve definitely seen Russ make some ridiculous comments and behave poorly, this is actually a surprise to me and I hope it’s the turning point for him and the team. Now if we can only get him to act this professionally when we make him a 6th man lol
Actually that would be a great move…his stats would skyrocket against 2nd team players.
I love the daily video of Russ’s nightly botches Skip and Shannon show on there a daily basis
I’m sorry that you force yourself to watch Click Baitless. Find help.
You were helping your teammates try and win a game Russ, by literally not being on the floor. Russ’s lack of self-awareness is hilarious especially in a game they significantly did better when he didn’t play (-18 with Russ on the floor).
I think maybe he meant what you are saying, since you cannot read his mind there is no way to tell.
Mans is the only one surprised lol
Russ is a true professional… how long before LAL finally get rid of Vogel?
Vogel is a heck of a coach, not sure why he’s being thrown under the bus. His rotations aren’t perfect but the roster construction he has to work with is even less perfect. I think Pelinka is the one that needs to go. LA is a flashy town but you can’t just load a roster with names, you need certain skill sets that compliment each other and currently we don’t have that