“Russell Westbrook never respected Frank from day one,” said a Lakers employee who was familiar with the situation. “The moment Frank said that anyone who gets the rebound can put it on the court like the NBA is played these days, Russ said, ‘Nah, I’m the point guard. Pass me the ball. Everyone runs. Frank said, ‘No, we have Talen, we have Austin. We have Malik. We have LeBrons. We have AD. They can all bring the ball up.’ He said, ‘No, I’m the point guard. Give me the s—. Everyone get out of the way.’ “From that point on, in training camp, it was a closure because now Russ is a fish out of water. He doesn’t know what to do. That’s how it started.”
Source: Dan Woike, Broderick Turner @ Los Angeles Times
What’s up on Twitter?
Brandon Rahbar @Brandon Rahbar
The OKC Blue leads Russell Westbrook’s 2022 teammates after the 1st quarter. – 11:11 p.m
Mike Trudell @Lakers Reporter
Featuring LeBron, AD, Westbrook and Anthony, LAL’s new starting lineup has had some good stretches over the past two nights, but the group at the back of the bench has struggled.
OKC took a 7-point lead late in Q1 before Gabriel and Ellington stopped a run with B2B 3’s. – 11:06 p.m
CBS NBA @CBSSportsNBA
Russell Westbrook trade rumours: Hornets a team to watch in potential Lakers Guard deal, per report
cbssports.com/nba/news/russe… – 10:05 p.m
Mike Trudell @Lakers Reporter
Vogel said Davis, Westbrook and Anthony were not ruled out for Sunday’s finals in Denver. LeBron is already out due to the ankle. – 8:56 p.m
Ryan Ward @RyanWardLA
Frank Vogel says AD, Melo and Westbrook are NOT ruled out for Sunday. – 8:55 p.m
StatMuse @status muse
Russell Westbrook last 10 games:
22.2 PPG
7.4 Roleplay
7.1 GPG
52.1 FG%
41.5 3P% in 4.1 attempts
Season ended strong. pic.twitter.com/IhheX2NVDc – 6:43 p.m
Brandon Rahbar @Brandon Rahbar
LeBron missed 1/3 of the season.
AD missed 1/2 of the season.
Westbrook missed just 1 game until LA was eliminated.
This game: LeBron & AD played and lost to the tanking Blazers.
Russ put in 18.5/7.4/7.1 for the season.
But Westbrook takes all the blame. Come on. – 5:16 p.m
Brandon Rahbar @Brandon Rahbar
LeBron James, Russell Westbrook, Anthony Davis and Carmelo Anthony take on OKC tonight.
Thunder’s lottery odds are in the hands of the Lakers’ new Big 3: Talen Horton-Tucker, Malik Monk and Austin Reaves. – 2:35 p.m
Joe Mussatto @joe_mussatto
LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Russell Westbrook, Carmelo Anthony and Kendrick Nunn are out for the Lakers tonight. – 2:31 p.m
Ryan Ward @RyanWardLA
LeBron (out for the season), AD, Westbrook and Melo are out again for the Lakers’ final home game tonight: pic.twitter.com/NcqEFniqug – 2:28 p.m
Emiliano Karchia @Sportando
Lakers have not ruled out the possibility of using the waive-and-stretch provision on Westbrook sportando.basketball/en/lakers-have… – 9:42 a.m
StatMuse @status muse
THT Breakout Game:
40 PTS (career high)
3 REB
3 AST
4 pcs
Horton-Tucker has higher season high than Westbrook and AD. pic.twitter.com/tMWlAEOYG0 – 12:26 a.m
Mike Trudell @Lakers Reporter
With no pressure in that game and LeBron/AD/Westbrook/Melo, LAL came out both loose and aggressive to take a 11-4 lead in 3 minutes at the Golden State.
Appetizers: THT, Monk, Reaves, Johnson and Howard – 10:11 p.m
A wasted season later, it’s hard to see the Lakers as anything but too old and too slow, with square pegs shoved into round holes between multiple players’ trips to injury reports. “What happened?” one opposing player wondered after recently beating the Lakers. “… They stink.” -via Los Angeles Times / April 8, 2022 Despite all that negativity, Westbrook — who often credits faith and family with helping him stay positive and keep perspective — described this failed season as a learning experience. “Honestly, personally, I was just blessed in that situation,” he said. “I’ve learned a lot about many different things within myself. I’ve been able to really stay true and true to what I believe in, no matter what was ever thrown our way or my way. “I’m insured,” he said when asked what he’d learned. “I am super blessed and grateful. Whatever is thrown my way, I’m covered by the protection of faith… I can always prevail and get through.” -via Clutch Points / April 6, 2022 A season that ended with the promise of the championship for the Los Angeles Lakers started, ended with the pain of not even qualifying for the play-in tournament. Tuesday’s 121-110 loss to the Phoenix Suns — coupled with a 116-97 win by the San Antonio Spurs over the Denver Nuggets — officially eliminated LA from play-in contention with three games remaining in the regular season . “Extremely disappointed,” said Lakers coach Frank Vogel. “Disappointed for our fanbase. Disappointed for the Buss family for giving us all this opportunity and we want to do our part in making Laker basketball a success and we fell short.” -via ESPN / April 6, 2022