The Los Angeles Lakers were expected to display a better game against the Denver Nuggets in game 3. However, the team still fell short and lost the third consecutive game in the series. Not only going down 3-0 is a shock, but LA could not even deliver a winning run at Crypto Arena. That shook the fans since the team has been playing well, at least on their home court. But after this heartwrenching loss, they are asking questions about some players’ performances, and D’Angelo Russell is one of them.
The 26-year-old has not been as effective as he was during the regular season of the NBA. He displayed an all-round performance to help LA reach the payoffs but is struggling in the postseason. D’Lo came to the team during the trade deadline in exchange for the infamous Russell Westbrook. He came and supplied Coach Darvin Ham’s team with the much-needed shooting and chemistry among the superstar duo. But his clutch performance has been lacking, and he could be one of the major reasons for LA to trail the 3-0 lead in the finals series.
Darvin Ham Displays Fath In The Lakers Point Guard
All the players go through highs and lows during their careers. And D’Angelo Russell is going through a similar wave where he has hit his all-time low performance. This is causing LA their opportunity to bring another trophy with LeBron James. Ham’s team will be eliminated from the final if the young point guard can not get his game right on Monday. And the Coach does not think substituting him is the right way to approach game 4. The three consecutive loss means that the Nuggets only need one more win to claim the series. Darvin Ham said on D’Angelo Russell going 1-for-8 tonight: “All good looks. He just has to remain aggressive. All good looks.”
Darvin Ham on D’Angelo Russell going 1-for-8 tonight: “All good looks. He just has to remain aggressive. All good looks.”
— Jovan Buha (@jovanbuha) May 21, 2023
However, fans are furious about Ham’s take on Russell. They want to see a different player on the court because D’Lo is just not cutting it with his performance. Therefore this could be when the head coach could go for something new up his sleeves. Another reason why Coach Ham is afraid to put the point guard on the bench is that they would have a tough time resigning him next season. But in such a crucial time, fans want Ham to think about the title rather than the next season.
Darvin Ham Remains Optimistic For The Game 4
Same as Anthony Davis, the head coach, is also optimistic about the next game on Monday. “I mean, I think the deficit is 3-0, not 4. So as long as they have not gotten to four yet, there’s still hope. We’re still alive. We just have to focus on winning one game,” said Ham.
It is all in the hands of the head coach Darvin Ham now. He has to make the tough decision of dropping Russell even if it causes problems in the future. Monday could be one last shot for the Lakers to push for the title this year.
