You would think everyone playing for the Los Angeles Lakers would have been ecstatic on Tuesday night as they watched their teammate LeBron James make history.
But this is the Lakers we are talking about and they are always on the verge of some sort of drama.
On Tuesday, the drama was between head coach Darvin Ham and star player Russell Westbrook.
ESPN Sources: Lakers G Russell Westbrook and coach Darvin Ham had a brief, heated verbal exchange in the halftime locker room on Tuesday vs. OKC. Ham expressed frustration with how Westbrook lingered on the playing floor after getting subbed out of game late in second quarter.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 8, 2023
Adrian Wojnarowski is reporting that Westbrook and Ham “had a brief, heated verbal exchange” in the locker room during halftime.
Apparently, Ham discussed his frustration with how Westbrook “lingered” on the court despite being subbed out of the game during the second quarter.
Wojnarowski said that “voices were raised” but the “discussion turned back to trying to win” and eventually both men were friendly with each other again.
This isn’t the first time that we have heard about high tension among the team, specifically with Westbrook.
But it comes at a very interesting time for him.
There are numerous rumors about Westbrook being traded away from the Lakers before Thursday’s trade deadline, with teams like the Utah Jazz or Charlotte Hornets being involved in a deal for him.
Therefore, this might have been the last argument that Westbrook and Ham ever have.
Westbrook has had his fair share of good and bad moments throughout the season but he was quite solid on Tuesday.
He ended the night with 27 points, 4 rebounds, and 8 assists and closed out the game.
It’s understandable that Westbrook, Ham, and others were frustrated because the Lakers were a mess all evening long.
That led to yet another painful and disappointing loss.
Will the Lakers keep Westbrook around through Thursday or has he played his last game in LA?
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