International Hoops

Frank Vogel on benching Russell Westbrook in final minutes vs. Wizards

Russell Westbrook reacts to be being benched in OT vs. Knicks

Photo: Los Angeles Lakers/Twitter

Russell Westbrook had another low-scoring game this season. The 33-year-old point guard finished the game against the Wizards with just 5 points.

Lakers head coach Frank Vogel took Russ out of the game with 8:37 left to play in the fourth quarter when his team held a 4-point lead. Westbrook the remaining time on the bench.

After the game Vogel was asked about his decision to bench the former NBA MVP. “Russ had 9 assists, 1 turnover tonight. That’s one of his biggest roles on this team is to be a shock creator,” he said. “Did that at a high level, didn’t have a great night finishing his shooting whether at the rim or on the perimeter.

“The game is about the five guys are going to help you win. Those three guys were playing at a super high level and defensively with the lead we wanted Stanley in there.

“It was just having those guys in there to win it. It wasn’t anything more than that. But like I said Russ had 9 assists, 1 turnover and…

Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at TalkBasket.net…