Westbrook unleashes frustrations with how his season went and the people who he believes prevented him from being himself.
EL SEGUNDO — Throughout the season, Russell Westbrook heard his teammates and coaches echo a refrain: “Let Russ be Russ.”
On the heels of a 33-49 Lakers season rife with underachievement and festering dysfunction, Westbrook unleashed frustrations with how his season went and the people who he believes prevented him from being himself: “I just felt that I never was given a fair chance just to be who I needed to be to help this team.”, as well as disappointment with fans who didn’t embrace him.
Westbrook said he “very rarely” felt like himself on the court with the Lakers, based in part on the changing rotations that everyone dealt with, but also based on the sacrifices he was asked to make as a player. His interpretation was that he was “making a bigger sacrifice than anyone,” and that his circumstances in L.A. prevented him from being the kind of player he could have been for the team.
Westbrook’s averages dropped this season as one might expect from sharing the load with new superstar teammates LeBron James and Anthony Davis. But for one, Westbrook didn’t share the court with them both often, playing 78 games this season as James played 56 and Davis played 40. And his efficiency took a free fall in the middle of the season: In January, he shot 41.6% as coaches began to tighten his minutes and bench him late in close games. In February, his shooting dropped to 36.3%.
“But I never, from the get-go, was feeling like ,” he said. “I was having to try to prove myself to him and my capabilities and what I’ve been able to do for this game. And it’s unfortunate but it’s really not . It’s kind of out of my hands.”
Deutschland Neuesten Nachrichten, Deutschland Schlagzeilen
Similar News:Sie können auch ähnliche Nachrichten wie diese lesen, die wir aus anderen Nachrichtenquellen gesammelt haben.
Reaves, Monk lead Lakers past Nuggets 146-141 in OTMalik Monk had a career-best 41 points and Austin Reaves set career highs with 31 points, 16 rebounds and 10 assists to lead the Los Angeles Lakers to a 146-141 overtime victory over the Denver Nuggets on Sunday night in the season finale.
Weiterlesen »
Frank Vogel on Lakers coaching status: 'We'll deal with tomorrow, tomorrow'An ESPN insider tweeted that Lakers coach Frank Vogel would be fired by the team and informed of the decision as soon as Monday. “My reaction is, I haven’t been told s--- and I’m going to enjoy tonight’s game,” Vogel said after the regular-season finale.
Weiterlesen »
Social Media Reacts to Reports of Lakers Firing Frank VogelTwitter had a lot to say after reports of Frank Vogel’s firing from the Lakers emerged before the final buzzer sounded in their regular season finale.
Weiterlesen »
Report: Lakers expected to fire head coach Frank VogelFollowing another less than impressive season, the Los Angeles Lakers are expected to part way with head coach Frank Vogel.
Weiterlesen »
Frank Vogel out as coach of Los Angeles Lakers after 3 seasons, sources sayFrank Vogel has coached his final game with the Lakers, a decision expected to be shared with him as soon as Monday, sources told ESPN.
Weiterlesen »
Report: Lakers to fire coach Frank VogelRumors of Vogel’s flagging job security have been circulating for months, and his dismissal was the widely expected outcome of a 33-49 season.
Weiterlesen »