Los Angeles Lakers might have lost the game against the Cavaliers. But there is no denying the fact that th team has had an absolute turnaround where their two wins in the first 12 games. The campaign started much like the team\’s humiliating exit in the last season. However, they have picked a pace as the season went ahead. And no one can take the credit away from the team\’s new head coach Darvin Ham. Meanwhile, former NBA star Matt Barnes has lauded Ham for the positivity he has brought to the team.
Matt Barnes Praise Darvin Ham For The Lakers\’ Success!
According to Matt Barnes, Darvin Ham has done an outstanding job coaching the Los Angeles Lakers and forcing Russell Westbrook to take a bench position. The Lakers\’ improved performance may be attributed to Westbrook, who serves as the team\’s sixth player. Thanks to Ham, Westbrook accepted the role, contrary to the critics\’ predictions.
Barnes exclaimed that he admires what Ham has accomplished thus far. The biggest achievement, in his opinion, was convincing Russell Westbrook to accept his job. Matt asserts that Frank Vogel would have prevented it from happening. He made sure to establish a rapport with Russ.
Darvin Ham is well-known in the NBA coaching staff. In his first season leading the Lakers, he has been precisely that. At the beginning of the season, he has talents like Anthony Davis, LeBron James, and Russell Westbrook embracing his ideologies.
The team kept up with Ham\’s teachings despite getting off to a 2-10 start. They improved to 10-12 on the year after going 8-2 in their final ten games, indicating that it was worthwhile. When Westbrook agreed to take the position, many people anticipated him to make things tough for any head coach in the league, let alone Ham.
But as Barnes pointed out, Ham was able to convince Westbrook to take a bench role by forging a strong bond with him. Both the individual and the team benefited from the relocation. In three games as a starter, Westbrook has averaged 10.3 points and 4.3 assists while shooting 28.9% from the field.
His statistics have significantly increased after sitting on the bench. In his 18 games, he has averaged 15.3 points, 8.3 assists, and 42.3% field goal shooting, including 34.2% from beyond the arc. At the same time, Westbrook has played off the bench for the LA Lakers in all 10 of their victories.
Although there were concerns about the LA Lakers\’ ability to succeed with their current roster, Darvin Ham went into his first season as a head coach with a lot of optimism. The Lakers had a 0-5 record at the time. Despite the chaos, Ham maintained his optimism and faith in his squad to recover successfully. The Lakers came back with an impressive 8-2 run.