Los Angeles Lakers are not having the best outing in the current season as they could expect. After the championship-winning season in 2020, the Lakers have somehow lost track. Even in early 2023, it looks like they have not yet found the right way. For a long time, the front office of the Lakers was struggling to find a team where they could trade the nine-time All-Star, Russell Westbrook. The 34-year-old point guard was just not fitting into the Lakers roster. Westbrook’s most significant contribution to the team in recent times was not coming through his performance but rather his status as an NBA Legend.
The Lakers General Manager explained why they had bought Westbrook in the past. Rob Pelinka mentioned, “our goal was to win the championship with the big 3’s – LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and Russell Westbrook.” Even though Westbrook did not have the best of the season, he was a candidate for the Sixth Man of the Year. A few matches before Westbrook was traded to the Jazz, he had been performing well, but that was not turning the luck for the Lakers.
Darvin Ham Has Replacements Ready For Westbrook
The front office looks forward to having a good mix in the team’s roster with a perfect balance between the youth and the veterans. It is all about having a solid bench. Before the trade deadline, the Lakers managed to acquire five promising talents in exchange for the veteran playmaker and ball-handler who was the leader of the bench unit.
I asked Darvin Ham who he envisions replacing Russell Westbrook as the leader/primary ballhandler of the bench unit now that LeBron is likely back.
— Jovan Buha (@jovanbuha) February 16, 2023
He said he has “a few tricks up his sleeve” and that we’ll be surprised when the starters are announced.
Now the question is, with the veteran gone, who will be given the responsibility to lead the bench? According to Jovan Buha, Darvin Ham, the head coach of the Lakers, has some tricks arranged for the following games. And he knows how to deal with the absence of Russell Westbrook. Whatever the trick was against the New Orleans Pelicans, it definitely looks like working. As the Lakers got a much-needed victory after a long time.
What Is The Current Situation Of The Lakers?
The Lakers beat the Pelicans 120-102, making their win-loss ratio 27-32. As Anthony Davis had been emphasizing “the streak” for a long time. A winning streak is what the team needs to increase their chances for the playoffs. The new entries to the Lakers are D’Angelo Russell, Malik Beasley, and Jarred Vanderbilt. They will have a significant role to play in turning things around for this great franchise in the current season.
Meanwhile, King James and AD will stay in the starting line-up. Hence, it looks like Dennis Schroder is the new Sixth Man for the rest of the season. Darvin Ham has received too many criticisms from the fans for the way he was running his unit.
Especially after the game against the Trailblazers, where they ended on the losing side. Fans did not like his style of rotation of the players. Other Key players for the LA franchise in the current season are Mo Bamba, Rui Hachimura. Also, Troy Brown Jr. and Lonnie Walker. Furthermore, these players give Ham ample options for rotation. These players provide the fans and the management with a lot of hope. But the Lakers need to find consistency as soon as possible. Time is running out, and the door of the playoffs chances are gradually closing for the Lakers.
