Russell Westbrook Speaks Against Frank Vogel Benching Him In The Fourth Quarter

Russell Westbrook is sick and tired of grabbing pine with games on the line.

Following the blowout loss to the Bucks on Tuesday (where LeBron James also had some cryptic comments), Westbrook was asked what he feels he needs to do in order to avoid being benched by Frank Vogel late in games. He answered by slamming the head coach, claiming he’s proven enough during his time in the NBA to be allowed to finish games in the lineup.

“Who? Me? (laughs) I don’t have that answer for you brother,” Westbrook said when asked if the staff had given him any concrete goals to hit in order to earn the right to close games. “I wish I did. I shouldn’t have to hit any benchmark, to be honest. I’ve put a lot of work in. I’ve got a lot of respect in this game. I don’t have to hit a benchmark. Or I shouldn’t have to. I earned the right to be in closing lineups. I mean, numbers will tell you. I don’t have to explain that.

“But once again, that ain’t my decision. That’s the decision that he and the staff think is best for the game, and unfortunately I’ve kind of just got to go with it and figure it out the best way I can, and be there for my teammates as best as I can, and make sure I come to work and do my job as a professional.”

"I earned the right to be in closing lineups."

Russell Westbrook laid into Lakers head coach Frank Vogel after a second straight benching in crunch time.

➡️ https://t.co/OJdfx0vOvE pic.twitter.com/u3ZYx4viyb

— Yahoo Sports NBA (@YahooSportsNBA) February 9, 2022

Russell Westbrook also lamented the tough circumstances Frank Vogel has set with his ever-changing lineups and in-game adjustments.

“You never know when you’re coming in, you never know when you’re coming out,” Westbrook said. “You never know when you’re playing, you never know… a bunch of things. And I’m speaking for me personally, so it’s a difficult process to be able to figure out and create some rhythm and some consistency where we can actually see what we’re able to do as a team, but those decisions are made by him and his coaching staff, and you’ve got to live with it and move on.”

Despite his criticism, Russell Westbrook also made it clear that Frank Vogel is the head coach, and whatever decision he makes is what he’s going to have to live with.

“But I don’t need him to be clear. He makes whatever decision he makes, and that’s up to him. My job as a professional is to come to work, be in a positive mindset, put my head down and do my work to the best of my ability and be there to encourage my teammates. That’s it.”

Welcome to the game outside the game! Follow us on our Sideaction Twitter handle, Instagram, and Facebook for the latest on sports and pop culture news across the web!