On January 20, Beijing time, the Lakers lost at home to the pacers in the east, and after the Lakers lost, many fans once again pointed the spearhead at Wei Shao, and during this time, the Lakers' attitude towards Wei Shao also changed.
In today's game against the Pacers, Westbrook played 26 minutes, 5-of-17 shooting, and scored 12 points, 2 rebounds and 3 assists, although the three-point shot was 6 of 4, but the two-pointer 11 was really difficult to hide the embarrassment, in the last 3 minutes and 50 seconds of the game, Vogel let Westbrook sit on the bench, let Munch replace Westbrook, which really surprised many fans.
After the game, Wei Shao refused to be interviewed by the media and left the stadium early, and Vogel talked about the reason for putting Wei Shao on the bench at the last moment in the post-match interview, Vogel said: "I sent a lineup that I thought I could win. ”
From Vogel's expression, it can be seen that Westbrook has gradually lost trust in Vogel's heart, and after the game, according to Lakers reporter Dave McMenamin, multiple sources revealed that Vogel's decision was approved by the team's management, and a source close to the management revealed that the management told Vogel: "You have to do what you should do." ”
Sources said the Lakers coaching staff had been discussing not letting Wei Shao play at the last minute, and had not done so because of fear of a lasting impact on Wei Shao's psychology.
So far this season, Westbrook has played a total of 45 games for the Lakers, averaging 34.9 minutes per game, but in the last three games, Vogel has greatly compressed Westbrook's playing time, playing 25 minutes and 57 seconds against the Nuggets, playing 27 minutes and 40 seconds against the Jazz and playing 26 minutes and 36 seconds against the Pacers today, Westbrook played less than 28 minutes in three consecutive games, which is the second time in his career, and the first time is Westbrook's rookie season. From October 30 to November 11, 2008, he played less than 28 minutes in seven consecutive games.
In this way, does it mean that Westbrook will gradually be abandoned by the Lakers, and the previous Howard is also repeatedly compressed by Vogel in playing time, and finally abandoned by the team for a long time.
After the game, Lakers player Cameron Anthony was interviewed by the media and asked about Westbrook's abandonment at a critical moment, Anthony said: "This is just an adjustment, I think I know what Westbrook is going through, I have experienced this situation before, I think the coach let Westbrook sit on the bench at a critical moment is not aimed at him." ”
Now the Lakers' record has fallen below 50% again, and fallen to the eighth position in the West, only leading the ninth Clippers in the West to win half a game, the Lakers have not had much to run into, if it is still in this state, even the playoff quota can not be won.
Westbrook is a problem that the Lakers must solve, from the perspective of trading, the only one who can trade Westbrook with the Lakers is The Houston Rockets' Wall, but can such a deal really be exchanged for substantial results? No one can guarantee this.
According to Lakers reporter Dave McMenamin, Wei Shao not only gradually lost trust in front of Vogel, but even the Lakers' management began to gradually intervene in this matter, if Wei Shao is still in such a state, it is only a matter of time before it is traded or abandoned in the future.
Fans, what do you think? Comments are welcome!