LOS ANGELES, CA – It’s becoming quite clear the Los Angeles Lakers season isn’t getting better; it’s getting worse. At a point of the season, where the team thought they would have more answers, there are definitely more questions.
More significantly, a star they thought was going to be a difference maker has become more of a liability and is now being held accountable for it.
(Courtesy of ESPN)
In a game that many believed could represent a turning point in the season, the Lakers (26-29) got outclassed by the defending champion Milwaukee Bucks in a 131-116 loss in which the Bucks led by as many as 30.
While their star trio of Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton, and Jrue Holiday seemed aligned and productive, the Lakers’ “Big Three” of LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and Russell Westbrook were clearly maligned, frustrated, and dejected.
The real story came in the fourth quarter where the struggling Westbrook did not play a single minute of the final frame. He finished with 10 points on 3/11 shooting, 10 rebounds, five assists, four turnovers and was showered with boos from his hometown team. It was the second consecutive game where head coach Frank Vogel opted to bench Westbrook in the closing minutes, becoming more of a trend of late.
In the Lakers’ win over the New York Knicks over the weekend, Vogel did not play the former MVP in the overtime period after a porous 1/10 shooting performance and opted to go with Talen Horton-Tucker.
Some could be asking why Westbrook, one of the most accomplished players in the league over the last 14 years, is riding the pine at the end of these games.
The answer is simple: accountability. Let’s not forget that Vogel was encouraged and empowered by the front office to do whatever was necessary to win games including benching Westbrook if he saw fit.
Because of injuries to Davis and James, Vogel needed to have Westbrook playing critical minutes at the end of these games, despite his high turnover rate, bad shot selection, poor free throw shooting, awful outside shooting, and non-existent defense.
However, with the Lakers’ dynamic duo healthy again, Vogel can now hold Russ accountable for a poor performance by sitting him and going with a lineup that will execute more efficiently on both ends.
Also, the proof is in the pudding. With Westbrook not playing the fourth quarter against the Bucks, the Lakers cut the 24 point deficit down to 10 with five minutes left. Role players like Malik Monk, Horton-Tucker, Austin Reaves, and Stanley Johnson combined with either LeBron or AD were moving the ball well and playing more physical defense.
Obviously, Westbrook was frustrated, but you couldn’t tell that by his behavior on the sidelines giggling and then trying to pump up James and Davis as they sat in the final minutes.
In his post game press conference, which always seems like a side show, Westbrook doubled down on his poor play, stating that Vogel hasn’t been clear about his playing time and believing that he should be out there when asked does he have to hit benchmarks in order to be in the closing lineup.
“I earned the right to be in closing lineups,” Westbrook said.
Maybe. However, when your team is three games below .500 in February and you are shooting 28 percent the last four games and not playing any defense, the coach has a right to do anything he can to win games.
Maybe for the first time ever, Westbrook is being held accountable for his reckless play and being shown that it’s not about the numbers, but a lack of impact he’s having in many of these games.
The players, Vogel, and the coaching staff are searching for answers, but one thing they should understand is that it’s not about the name in the back; it’s about the name on the front and everyone, no matter star status, should be held accountable.
Maybe Westbrook has earned the right to play in the final minutes of a game, but Vogel still has the right to bench him. All that matters is winning and the Lakers have done little of that this season with more doubt and uncertainty clouding the immediate future.
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