USA Today via Reuters
Nov 6, 2021; Portland, Oregon, USA; Portland Trail Blazers small forward Norman Powell (right) blocks a shot by Los Angeles Lakers point guard Russell Westbrook (0) during the second half at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
USA Today via Reuters
Nov 6, 2021; Portland, Oregon, USA; Portland Trail Blazers small forward Norman Powell (right) blocks a shot by Los Angeles Lakers point guard Russell Westbrook (0) during the second half at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
The Blazers started the proceedings against the Lakers in style. Damian Lillard scored a three-pointer off a Norman Powell assist and set the tone for the night. Soon enough, Anthony Davis completed his alley-oop on a Westbrook assist to give a befitting response. However, that was the last time they looked in control of the game.
After allowing a 22-point deficit in the first quarter alone, the Lake Show could not do to the Blazers what OKC did to them. In fact, Carmelo Anthony remained the only player to touch the double-figure mark until mid Q3.
Watch What’s Trending Now!
Fans want Russell Westbrook and Frank Vogel to face the heat
Russell Westbrook took his jersey number a little too seriously as he went scoreless in Q1. In fact, his contribution in the Lakers’ 90-105 loss was just 8 points in 30 minutes. The 6’3″ point guard went a shameful 1/13 from the field and again invited all the possible criticism to his name.
Meanwhile, the Lakers fans also found another candidate to blame when they did not like Frank Vogel’s rotation. After Anthony Davis went out of the game, coach Vogel did not have many pieces to try as fans hated him for the playing orders. Take a look at the condemning tweets –
Lebron walking into Pelinka’s office tomorrow pic.twitter.com/VqI4mYtPkC
— WizardsHive (@WizardsHive_) November 7, 2021
1-10 Westbrick. #Lakers pic.twitter.com/8bK1YwoY2d
— DodgerHogs (@DodgerHogs) November 7, 2021
Remember Lakers fans Russ was Bron’s plan B and Dame was his A 🤷🏾♂️ LMAOOOO YALL GOT THE BACKUP
— alan (@dameismissing) November 7, 2021
russell westbrook in the 1st half 4 points ,4rebs , 4 ast and 4 turnovers. He's on paced for another quadruple double pic.twitter.com/MJWFKE2v9E
— marc cruz (@DwitjustinGilas) November 7, 2021
If I were in the Laker locker room and AD says he got a stomach ache pic.twitter.com/gOzwtarb4L
— Sport (@BeenRichSport) November 7, 2021
If Frank Vogel starts these two together again I need him fired asap pic.twitter.com/b0n9g4CfOz
— 𝕯𝖗𝖊𝖜²⁴⛄️❄️ (5-4) (@MambaSzn24) November 7, 2021
Westbrook is filling in nicely in Lebron’s absence. This is what they brought him in for 🤣
— Jim (@2KFanJim) November 7, 2021
It’s officially TRADE SEASON LEBRON FANS! Who are we moving and who are we firing?
— LEBRONS GONNA TRADE YOU (@LeSmoothSkin) November 7, 2021
Fans clearly disliked innumerable things about the Lakers’ show. But above everything, they’re getting sicker and sicker with Russ underperforming.
Read more: Lakers Fans Unleash Wrath on Russell Westbrook as He Puts Out Motivational Post After Painful Loss
What all contributed to the Lakers’ loss?
Apart from the ‘Rusty Westbrickness’ of Russell Westbrook, there were many contributing factors to the Lakers’ dismal show. They had five key players on the injury list against the Blazers’ none.
Plus, the Lakers Nation allowed too many open looks for the mighty Blazers to grab. As much as Frank Vogel did poorly with his rotation, the players like DeAndre Jordan looked sluggish in their defense work. If not for some decent plays from Dwight Howard and Austin Reaves, the visitors must’ve lost the Q2 as well.
So all in all, Carmelo Anthony was the only offensive force that the Lakers could exploit. Since their poor long-range shooting percentage (9/32) didn’t help either, the Blazers took an easy win home.
Watch this story: Best NBA Rivalries of All Time
