NBA Fans in Utter Dismay as Increased Tensions Inside the Lakers Franchise Could Hamper the Future for Russell Westbrook

The Los Angeles Lakers have been struggling for the entire season now. Russell Westbrook’s acquisition did not bring forth the results one expected, eventually compromising the team’s position on the points table. Meanwhile, as per recent reports, there is pressure on head coach Frank Vogel to pull Westbrook out of the starting lineup.

However, Vogel might just be resisting for now. Russ, who is a 14-season veteran in the NBA, has always played as one of the league’s best. Demoting him to a reserve might not be the best for his upcoming career and can further become cause of worry for the Lake Show.

Fans discuss Russell Westbrook playing as a reserve for the Lakers

Considering the reports, fans had conflicting responses to Westbrook being benched. While some want him as a reserve, some believe the Lakers need to change strategies to get him to play better. Though he might not be scoring or performing to his potential, Westbrook is certainly not as bad as people probably think him to be.

Let’s take a look at some of the reactions:

https://twitter.com/JuwanTLSM/status/1500282479353245699?s=20&t=PDdCFJq75bMB4__edTghZQ

https://twitter.com/georgecoulouras/status/1500282211769229314?s=20&t=PDdCFJq75bMB4__edTghZQ

Furthermore, the Lakers still have some time till the play-in tournament to make any such change and test a new starting five.

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Though a championship might not be on the tables this year, they can surely pull off a playoff run.

Many fans chose to support Westbrook, hoping for a better performance soon. Some also noted that while it might seem unusual at first, Westbrook coming off the bench with an undecided role might actually work better.

Interestingly, fans also brought up his contract, which pays Westbrook over $40 million per year. If they do indeed bench Westbrook, fans wonder if he will be the highest-paid sixth man ever.

Frank Vogel on Westbrook’s game

According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Lakers’ coaching staff and the 2017 NBA MVP have a different set of ideas. While there is some cause for concern, Vogel pressed on the hope that Westbrook (18.1 PPG) will play better as the season progresses. This sounds somewhat something similar to what he pulled off with the Washington Wizards last season.

“We have discussions, just like the front office has thousands of trade discussions every deadline, and they don’t discuss every one of those,” Vogel said about the topic. He hinted that while they do talk, no discussion about Westbrook’s trade might come to fruition.

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Currently, the Lakers are placed ninth in the Western Conference. They won their last game against the Golden State Warriors, and will face the San Antonio Spurs next.