For all of the battles the Lakers had during the 2021-22 season, it’ll be the internal one between Russell Westbrook and then-head coach Frank Vogel that will be a lasting memory. The Lakers season was doomed long before Vogel and Westbrook’s relationship deteriorated to the point of no return midway through the year, but that doesn’t make it any less damaging.
Much of the responsibility for things crumbling apart falls at the feet of Westbrook. As the season drifts further into the past, it’s becoming increasingly clearer that Westbrook was torpedoing things at a rapid rate behind the scenes.