The Los Angeles Lakers were skeptical about the return of D’Angelo Russell to the roster. But everybody knows how valuable Russell had been for the team in the last regular season. Without D’Lo, it would be very difficult for the duo of LeBron James and Anthony Davis to lead the LA team to the Western Conference Finals. Russell played a crucial part in helping the team make the postseason. However, he could not live up to the expectations in the playoffs. Moreover, Darvin Ham even benched D’Lo Russell in the conference finals.
It looked like the team was ready to let Russell go. However, in the offseason, the Lakers took a surprise decision after they retained D’Angelo Russell for another two-year extension worth $37 million. Moreover, Russell has a player option in his second year. But prior to the preseason games, Darvin Ham said in a news conference that D’Lo would be their fourth starter. Hence, it seems now the Lakers still have faith in D’Lo. Moreover, since the start of the preseason, D’Angelo Russell has been raising hopes of the Lakers Faithful.
D’Angelo Russell Shined Against The Sacramento Kings
Moreover, D’Lo and Gabe Vincent shined as the Lakers beat the Kings 109-101. D’Angelo Russell displayed a stellar show, scoring 21 points in just 21 minutes. Moreover, he scored eight times out of the 12 times he shot. On top of that, D’Lo Russell tried shooting 3-pointers five times. Eventually, he scored 3’s twice. Adding to that, he also had eight assists under his name against the Sacramento Kings. The credit goes to the Lakers Head Coach for giving D’Lo the center stage to lead the team in these games.
In the last game against the Sacramento Kings, Darvin Ham set the starting lineup with D’Lo, Rui Hachimura, Gabe Vincent, Jaxson Hayes, and Taurean Prince. On the other hand, LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and Jarred Vanderbilt were in street clothes sitting next to each other. Adding to them, Austin Reaves and Cam Reddish also did not play the game against the Kings. They were sitting nearby, too. During the news conference, Darvin Ham mentioned that they would tinker with the rotation during the training camp.
Darvin Ham Is Trying To Build A Winning Mentality Within The Lakers Team
The goal is to sort out the perfect lineup before they start their 2023-24 campaign against the Denver Nuggets on October 24. Moreover, the Lakers have things to make even with the defending champions, the Denver Nuggets. It is hard to forgive the Nuggets after the humiliating way the Lakers had to end last season. Hence, the Lakers coach aims to get his players stronger physically and mentally.
Each and every player must learn to build the winning habit. That’s why Ham is changing the rotation consistently. Darvin Ham told the media that he is trying to make every player have the same approach to the game. That is the mentality to compete, defend and share. It is the only way they can learn to build the habit of winning, as per the Lakers coach.
