On January 20, Beijing time, the Lakers lost to the Pacers 104-111 at home, suffering a 15-point reversal. Westbrook shot 5-of-17 from the field, 4-of-6 from three-point range, and had 14 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists and 1 steal. In the final 4 minutes of the game, Vogel replaced him and did not let Westbrook play again. The reporter in front revealed that Wei Shao has been standing in the players' tunnel since then, for unknown reasons.
After the game, a reporter asked Vogel why he wanted to replace Wei Shao, and Vogel's answer surprised everyone. Vogel said: "I sent players who I thought I could win. The lethality of the phrase is too fierce, which means that Vogel hinted that Westbrook could not help the Lakers win the game. Many fans talked about Vogel's words on social media, and some fans said that Vogel's words were reminiscent of 76ers coach Rivers in last year's playoffs.
At the time, Rivers said after the 76ers stopped in the Eastern Conference semifinals, he said he wasn't sure Simmons would be a champion team's organizational guard. Looking at it now, Vogel's words almost express the same meaning as Rivers, and he doesn't think Westbrook can bring victory to the Lakers. The Simmons scene has been staged in the Lakers!
Wei Shao's attitude after the game also shows that his mood is very bad. According to the front reporter, Wei Shao did not accept an interview after the game and left the stadium directly. Many media and fans are speculating that the relationship between Westbrook and Vogel may have deteriorated, and one of them may be leaving the Lakers.
James talked about the Lakers coaching staff after the game, he said that the coaching staff has been great, let us be in a successful position, we have to do our part, that's not wrong. I don't think we played badly tonight. I think it was only in the fourth quarter that the other side got into a fiery state and disrupted our game plan. James was talking about LeVert, who scored just eight points in the first three quarters but 22 in the fourth quarter!