Lakers’ Head Coach Frank Vogel shares why he benched Russell Westbrook in OT, hopes Brodie plays better in the next game
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The Los Angeles Lakers hosted the New York Knicks tonight. The Knicks have not fared so well in their last 10 games, going 3-7 before tonight. They entered the game trying to correct their record. Standing on the 12th spot in the East, the Knicks are just 1.5 games behind the Hawks for the 10th and final spot for the play-in games.
The Lakers, on the other hand, were 4-6 in their last 10 games, entering tonight. They had just lost the battle of LA to the Clippers and were out for blood. Having added LeBron James back to their starting lineup, it seemed like the Lakers were going to run with the game. However, the Knicks had different plans, and established a lead as big as 21 points in the first half. The Lakers clawed their way back in the third, and the game went to overtime. Head coach Frank Vogel decided to sit out Russell Westbrook for the OT, which shouldn’t come as a surprise. However, after the game, the coach justified the same.
“You make tough decisions in the spirit of winning games”: Frank Vogel on benching Russell Westbrook
To start the OT, Frank Vogel decided to send a lineup of LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Malik Monk, Trevor Ariza, and Talen Horton-Tucker. While it was a clear choice, coach Frank Vogel decided to justify his reason for picking THT over Russell Westbrook in OT.
Vogel continued and said,
Russell Westbrook responded to being benched in OT as well. He said,
Going 1/10 from the field, Russ just had 5 points for the night. He also recorded 4 rebounds, 6 assists, while turning the ball over 4 times.
