While the Los Angeles Lakers ended up beating the Houston Rockets on Monday night, there were a few moments during the game when it looked like the Lakers would give up the lead and face another loss.
At halftime, the game was surprisingly tight and all LA fans were nervous about the third and fourth quarters.
They weren’t the only ones who were upset with the direction of the game.
LeBron James, Russell Westbrook and Lakers assistant coach Phil Handy having a little chat before halftime
h/t @JaredSGreenberg#LakeShowpic.twitter.com/1ZXx0QUzvW
— ‘ (@_Talkin_NBA) January 17, 2023
NBA reporter Jared Greenberg pointed out that Russell Westbrook had a few words with the coaching staff on the sidelines as the first half concluded.
According to Greenberg, Westbrook told the coaching staff that they have to do better.
Phil Handy, one of the assistant coaches, stepped forward with LeBron James to calm Westbrook down and allegedly told him “We all have to do better, Russ.”
Westbrook’s Words
Following the game, Westbrook and head coach Darvin Ham said that reporting was much ado about nothing and that it the conversation had to do with the team’s rotation.
Ham said that Westbrook was “passionate” but “never disrespectful.”
As for Westbrook, he said “it was just a conversation. I didn’t get into it with anybody.”
No one should be surprised that Westbrook got fired up about his team and let the coaches know – he has long been one of the most driven and “passionate” players in the league, for better and for worse.
Even though he has become a bench player this year, he still performs like a team leader and is consistently expecting the most from himself and his teammates.
The upcoming few games are very important for the Lakers as their next four out of five games will be at home at Crypto.com Arena.
This will give them a chance to improve their standings a bit as they await the All-Star break and the likely return of Anthony Davis.
