The Los Angeles Lakers have a new coach with Darvin Ham and he’s showing just how much trust and belief he has in his team.
And he’s not talking about some team he might have someday.
No, he’s speaking about the team he has right now.
There has been a lot of speculation about the role that Russell Westbrook will have in the next season with the Lakers.
That remains to be seen but one thing is clear: Ham is certainly a fan of the former MVP.
Lakers new head coach Darvin Ham on Russell Westbrook: "Russ is one of the best players our league has ever seen."
(via @RyanWardLA) pic.twitter.com/QSgyqfCSFy
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) June 6, 2022
Speaking about Westbrook at his first press conference as head coach, Ham said, “Russ is one of the best players our league has ever seen.”
Big words from Ham – does this mean that we will still be seeing a lot of Westbrook when the new season begins?
Russell Remains
When the offseason began, nearly everyone thought the Lakers would move heaven and earth to offload Westbrook on another team.
However, the conventional wisdom now says that he is going to be sticking around.
His contract is just too massive and there is no team that is willing to take Westbrook without other assets the Lakers won’t part with.
So, for better or for worse, Westbrook will be playing with LA next season.
Obviously, Ham needs a plan for him and he surely is working out something with his coaching staff and the front office.
It’s good to hear that Ham has such strong opinions about Westbrook but how does he convert that greatness into productivity on the court?
You can bet that Westbrook’s play in the new season will be different from what we saw last year.
Ham has faith but he will not sit by and let Westbrook waste another season.
NEXT: Former NBA Player Shuts Down Silly Russell Westbrook Narrative