Los Angeles Lakers star Russell Westbrook was on the bench after the loss; Coach Frank Vogel has given the green light, sources say

LOS ANGELES – A long time ago Russell Westbrook was substituted for the period of Wednesday Hole 111-104 arrive Indiana Pacers, Los Angeles Lakers Coach Frank Vogel has been assured the organization will support him in taking a hard line while coaching the star, sources told ESPN.

Over the past week and a half, the Lakers leadership has told the coaching staff to let Coach Westbrook see fit, even if it means pulling him out of a game, as Vogel did in 3 minutes 52. last second of the fourth round against Indiana. , sources told ESPN.

A source close to the situation describes the message from management to employees as, “You have to do what you have to do.”

Westbrook was sent off by 5 to 17 when Vogel brought in Monk Malik for him with LA track 101-94.

In addition to his offensive efforts, Westbrook was unable to build in defence. The final straw, motivating the staff to respect their instincts to bench him, was when Caris LeVert was blown away by Westbrook for 7 minutes, 13 seconds left.

The training board repeatedly pressed the scouting report to deprive LeVert of his right arm, and Westbrook, the LeVert guard at the top of the live peg, did not orient correctly to stop the drive and allow LeVert easy access to paint on the way to the ring.

When asked what was behind the decision to substitute Westbrook, the casual Vogel responded with a practical side.

“Play with people who I think will win the game,” he said.

Vogel’s job is in jeopardy since LA was blown away by 37 spots at Denver Nuggets over the weekend, according to various reports.

Sources say the coaching staff debated whether to pull Westbrook out of late-game situations for weeks, but always refrained from worrying about the long-term impact on Westbrook’s morale.

Indeed, even LeBron James danced around the subject of Westbrook’s arrest, perhaps not wanting to draw any more attention to the outrage at the former MVP of the league.

“Do you think that would bother Russ not being in a late game?” he said, answering the reporter’s question with a question, instead of a straight answer.

James was left to speak on Westbrook because the 14-year veteran – who walked off the field with 8.4 seconds left on the clock – left the arena without speaking to reporters.

Sources say Westbrook also left the dressing room when his teammates had finished showering, ignoring any post-match discussions with the team.

“I don’t think it’s anything personal,” the Lakers said forward Carmelo Anthony, who recently said he could be involved in adjusting to the role Westbrook is going through this season, having done it himself a few years ago. “It’s just something he’s not used to. You’d think someone like that would be on the field. But with the flow of the game, there were times when I wasn’t in the game or other people weren’t. involved in the game. So I don’t think it’s anything personal.”

Not personal, but certainly important. The Lakers, about to begin a six-game trip and sit eighth in the Western Conference 22-23, can’t afford to waste any more time prioritizing Westbrook’s comfort over his chances of success. of the team.

“It’s just something that Russ has to do…” Anthony said before correcting himself in the middle of the sentence, “We have to help him figure it out.”

“It’s frustrating. I can tell you that,” he continued. “It’s frustrating when a player tries to do the right thing, tries to do everything right. This is new for him. This is a new situation. This is a new environment. We have to help him. get through it. Speaking of Russ.

“As long as his mentality is right, then I’m fine.”