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?By Not Playing Him When It Matters?? NBA Fans Go Bonkers After Lakers? Coach?s Bizarre Russell Westbrook Claim Following Win vs Pelicans

ByAbhishek Dhariwal

Nov 3, 2022 | 7:00 AM EDT

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The Los Angeles Lakers are finally able to turn things around. After winning their second game in a row, the Lakers can start to breathe a sigh of relief. The Lakers defeated the New Orleans Pelicans 120-117 in an overtime thriller. The game was almost over but a fadeaway three-point buzzer-beater by Matt Ryan helped the Lakers stay in the game and eventually take down the Pelicans in OT. And Russell Westbrook was brought off the bench.

The Pelicans were a bit short-handed as Brandon Ingram did not end up playing against the Lakers. The Lakers too ran a small lineup, only playing nine players for the game.?

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Russell Westbrook with a breath of fresh air

For a change, Westbrook had a healthy game against the Pelicans. In the 25 minutes he played, Westbrook had 13 points, 7 rebounds, and 9 assists, shooting 6-10 from the field. And based on the past performances he has put up, this was definitely an improvement.

However, Los Angeles Lakers head coach Darvin Ham has had some other goals in mind for Westbrook. He said that one of his goals is to get Russell Westbrook into the ?Sixth Man of the Year? conversation.

And fans were quick to slam him online for his goals. One fan tweeted, ?By not playing him when it matters??? Referring to how Westbrook wasn?t in the game in the final minutes of the fourth quarter and overtime.

Here are some of the reactions from NBA Twitter:

By not playing him when it matters??
— AlwayzHoodie (@AlwayzHoodie) November 3, 2022

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If that’s the case I want him out of there. Ain’t no damn way a player of his caliber should be coming off the bench let alone not even being able to finish a game. Him off the bench should be temporary until LeBron figures out he isn’t a point guard.
— Kevin (@perezkevin3002) November 3, 2022

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How is Beverly starting he had 0 pts my boy just running around out there slapping asses and arguing 🤦🏻🤦🏽‍♂️
— Ateam (@THEATEAM1993) November 3, 2022

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My guy is a starting floor general anywhere else. Lakers are toxic 🤮 all 🧢 from everyone on the lakers to anyone associated with them. They don't deserve you Russ💯💯 he could have closed the Pels out as well. Lakers listen to the Media too much👂👂
— Wiz Wellington (@ArchamboJason) November 3, 2022

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6th men should not be turning ball over once every 4 minutes.
If Russ wants that 6th man, he needs to pick and choose when to play loose. Can't do that in crunch time.
— CognoScent (@Cogno_Scentist) November 3, 2022

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When he comes of the bench we win. It should be that simple.
— Sam 🇵🇭 (@theeheb) November 3, 2022

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The fanbase seems to be split in half, with some fans revolting against Ham?s decision to choose Patrick Beverly over Russell Westbrook. Whereas there are some fans who are praising Ham for this move.

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Westbrook may lead the second unit

Since the disappointing loss to the Portland Trail Blazers, Westbrook has been coming off the bench for the Los Angeles Lakers. And it may have taken him a while to get used to it, it finally seems as if Westbrook is making it work.

Watch This Story – 5 games that prove that the Russell Westbrook criticism is not fair

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For Westbrook to lead the team?s second unit, he will have to be more careful with his shot selection. Russ can clearly spot the open man on the floor but it is his shot selection that has been criticized lately.?

What do you think of Darvin Ham’s tactics? Let us know in the comments below.?