“They’re stuck playing with you” – Skip Bayless criticizes Russell Westbrook after LA Lakers star consoles Anthony Davis and LeBron James

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Mario Fernandes

Skip Bayless takes another dig at Russell Westbrook after disappointing loss to Bucks on Tuesday

American sports columnist Skip Bayless went on another attack against Russell Westbrook after the Lakers loss on Tuesday. Lakers lost 116-131 to the Bucks, with LeBron James the only shining star for the Lakers team.

Russell Westbrook
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – JANUARY 28: Russell Westbrook #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks over the court as he is guarded by LaMelo Ball #2 of the Charlotte Hornets during the first half of the game at Spectrum Center on January 28, 2022 in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)

Towards the end of the game, Westbrook was seen talking to James and Anthony Davis and cheering them up. Bayless seemed to express his anger on Twitter after the incident. He said:

“Just watched Westbrook try to cheer up LeBron and AD on the bench as the game was ending. No, Russ, they’re inconsolable. They’re stuck playing with YOU.”

Westbrook averages 18.3 PPG on 43.5% shooting from the field in his debut season with the Lakers. However, the Lakers are now 26-29 and languishing in 9th in the West. The team has been disappointing throughout the season, despite All-Star editions. Carmelo Anthony has been a tad more impressive than Westbrook, but the rest have struggled miserably.

LeBron James has been the best player for the Lakers and has been playing at an MVP level at 37. It is incredible to see how Westbrook has failed with the Lakers. Westbrook became the only person in NBA history to average a triple-double for a season twice in a career in 2017-18. Since then, he has played for the Wizards, Rockets before moving to Los Angeles.

Is there a rift between Westbrook and Frank Vogel?

Coach Vogel seemed to take another big decision benching Westbrook for the fourth quarter for the second time in recent weeks. This seemed to annoy the veteran and he spoke out after the game, saying:

“You never know when you’re coming in, you never know when you’re coming out. 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.” (h/t SilverScreen)

Lakers face the TrailBlazers next in a back-to-back game schedule on Feb 9.

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