Google News Russell Westbrook: I was surprised and disappointed after I got benched
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Los Angeles Lakers star guard Russell Westbrook has made it clear that he wants to on the floor and help his team win. On Wednesday, Lakers head coach Frank Vogel made a shocking decision when he benched Westbrook for the last four minutes of the game against the indiana Pacers.
"Surprised, yes. I was disappointed I didn't go back in, but I'm more disappointed that we lost the damn game," Westbrook told ESPN. "I want to be able to be on the floor to help my teammates and be able to help our team win in games like that -- but that was a decision that was made."
Westbrook vows to stay focused
"Ultimately, you have to be OK when s--- doesn't go well, and I'm OK," Westbrook told ESPN.
"I've done everything that's been asked of me here, and I'll continue to do so and ride this out as long as we can toward our ultimate goal -- and that's to win a championship. "We obviously haven't been fully healthy, but I'm committed to making this thing work.
The communication is there with everybody in the organization to make this thing work, to make this team we all want it to be in the future. "I have accepted everything that has been asked of me and tried to do it to the best of my ability.
I'm not the ultimate decision-maker of if it's working -- or if it's not working. I'm OK with sacrificing some of the things that I've been able to do in this game to win, because that's the most important part of this game.
I've done everything they've asked me to do to this point." The Lakers gave a lot to acquire Westbrook and they had high expectations from Westbrook. Westbrook has been inconsistent throughout the whole season and the Lakers own a 22-23 record.
"I think it's important to know that part of the process of being on a new team is that there are going to be a lot of ups and downs and struggles throughout a season," Westbrook told ESPN. "It's been a challenge for the last three years -- just trying to figure things out.
I lean on a lot of my faith to be able to stay locked in on my craft and work my a-- off and find ways to make situations work. The challenge is how to be the version of myself for this team, that's what I'm trying to figure out.
"I want to get better as the season goes on, and I've got to take responsibility for the things I'm doing and how I'm making those around me better. We have a legitimate chance to be able to win it all, and to do that, I'll have to be better -- and I know that I will be."