Darvin Ham: Westbrook Has 'A Ton Left In The Tank'; refers to 'Big Three'

[Laimbeer]

..."Russell Westbrook is one of the best players our league has ever seen, and there's still a ton left in the tank," said Ham. "I don't know why people tend to try to write him off."..

"We have a saying, 'Facts over feelings.' And once you see the film, that's a fact. You missed your assignment, then that has to be pointed out. Because if I can't point it out to one of our Big Three, then the last man or someone in the rotation, they're not going to take what we're doing seriously."...

https://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/267276/Darvin-Ham-Says-Russell-Westbrook-Has-A-Ton-Left-In-The-Tank

[RoyceDa59]

Yeah except his decision making, ball stopping and overall inability to spread the floor or play effective defense makes him a massive net negative on the court.

He can’t explosively blow past his defender anymore. His bball IQ is quite low.

He’s a terrible fit on the Lakers and if Ham wants to make it work the Lakers won’t be contending next season.

Good riddance.

[infinite11285]

WB is immovable, so it should be no surprise that a new incoming coach speaks well of him rather than throw him under the bus. Finding a way to work WB into the rotation is his job.

[JN61]

Of course he has. It has always been about the fit and Lebron hogging the ball from your point guard as the issue between Westbrook and Lakers.

Even if you don't like his style of play he can still play. He finished the season with Wizards (once he got healthy and get to know his teammates), last 35 games, with numbers of 23.2 ppg, 13.3 TRB, 13.4 AST with 44% FG and 32% 3pt and 72.1% ft which is pretty good for your PG. Especially if you ask from Westbrook to be 2-4th scorer on Lakers on nightly basis. Just let him create.

[iLLmatic860]

I think Russ it better than what he showed last year. Just looks like he’s trying to build up his confidence. I see nothing wrong with that since he is pretty much unmovable

[-Luke-]

Sure, sounds bad. But what is he supposed to say? Yeah, that dude f***ing washed. Can't wait to get his ass traded?

There have been easier jobs for rookie head coaches in the history of the NBA.

[NyKnicks1714]

WB is immovable, so it should be no surprise that a new incoming coach speaks well of him rather than throw him under the bus. Finding a way to work WB into the rotation is his job.

He's far from immovable at this point. His expiring has value to a handful of teams, but it seems like the Lakers just aren't willing to take on salary.

[DroseReturnChi]

Finally a coach thats trusts in a all nba guy. Give him 40 usage like luka good thing happen.

[1bigfan13]

IMO, it’ll take a strong dose of reality for him to finally change his playing style and fully accept his new role. I think the game of basketball will have to be taken away from him, like with Carmelo, before he finally gets it that he needs change.

Ham’s introductory verbal bouquets were expected….a new coach isn’t going to come in and tough-talk his players on Day 1. But at some point they have to stop enabling him and hold him accountable.

The poor shooting is one thing that they can live with, but there is no excuse for him not to defend, set screens, and move without the ball. Those are the areas that Ham has to have a zero tolerance policy with him in order for this thing to have any chance of working.

[hauntedcomputer]

I love it, we're guaranteed another fine season of sweet sweet Lakermelt.

[SelfishPlayer]

Of course he has. It has always been about the fit and Lebron hogging the ball from your point guard as the issue between Westbrook and Lakers.

Even if you don't like his style of play he can still play. He finished the season with Wizards (once he got healthy and get to know his teammates), last 35 games, with numbers of 23.2 ppg, 13.3 TRB, 13.4 AST with 44% FG and 32% 3pt and 72.1% ft which is pretty good for your PG. Especially if you ask from Westbrook to be 2-4th scorer on Lakers on nightly basis. Just let him create.

Lebron has lead too many championship teams to be a ball hog.

[LarsV8]

lol...this is the reason Westbrook is so toxic.

The innate ability to convince those around him that he is actually in fact not a huge negative on the court.

[JN61]

Of course he has. It has always been about the fit and Lebron hogging the ball from your point guard as the issue between Westbrook and Lakers.

Even if you don't like his style of play he can still play. He finished the season with Wizards (once he got healthy and get to know his teammates), last 35 games, with numbers of 23.2 ppg, 13.3 TRB, 13.4 AST with 44% FG and 32% 3pt and 72.1% ft which is pretty good for your PG. Especially if you ask from Westbrook to be 2-4th scorer on Lakers on nightly basis. Just let him create.

Lebron has lead too many championship teams to be a ball hog.

Question was never about has Lebron lead team to championship in past.

[SelfishPlayer]

Of course he has. It has always been about the fit and Lebron hogging the ball from your point guard as the issue between Westbrook and Lakers.

Even if you don't like his style of play he can still play. He finished the season with Wizards (once he got healthy and get to know his teammates), last 35 games, with numbers of 23.2 ppg, 13.3 TRB, 13.4 AST with 44% FG and 32% 3pt and 72.1% ft which is pretty good for your PG. Especially if you ask from Westbrook to be 2-4th scorer on Lakers on nightly basis. Just let him create.

Lebron has lead too many championship teams to be a ball hog.

Question was never about has Lebron lead team to championship in past.

Lebron isn't in question.

[Doctor MJ]

WB is immovable, so it should be no surprise that a new incoming coach speaks well of him rather than throw him under the bus. Finding a way to work WB into the rotation is his job.

Yup, and I'll add: It seems crystal clear that much of Westbrook's problem is refusing to adapt his game the way coaches (correctly) think he should.

I think the bet on Ham is a bet that someone with the right ethos (Black former player who isn't afraid to yell at players) can get through to Westbrook. We'll see what happens.

[JujitsuFlip]

WB is immovable, so it should be no surprise that a new incoming coach speaks well of him rather than throw him under the bus. Finding a way to work WB into the rotation is his job.

He's far from immovable at this point. His expiring has value to a handful of teams, but it seems like the Lakers just aren't willing to take on salary.

Unwilling to attach any sort of assets to move him.

[elchengue20]

Yikes.

He well past his athletic prime and doesnt have the IQ and skill to still be a good player.

On top of that he fails to recognize it and still wants to play like when he was a 23 year old kid.

Russ is one of the worst players in the NBA currently, especially if hes supposed to mesh with other stars and win a lot of games. Hes on that Allen Iverson 33-plus years old path.

[ConSarnit]

IMO, it’ll take a strong dose of reality for him to finally change his playing style and fully accept his new role. I think the game of basketball will have to be taken away from him, like with Carmelo, before he finally gets it that he needs change.

Ham’s introductory verbal bouquets were expected….a new coach isn’t going to come in and tough-talk his players on Day 1. But at some point they have to stop enabling him and hold him accountable.

The poor shooting is one thing that they can live with, but there is no excuse for him not to defend, set screens, and move without the ball. Those are the areas that Ham has to have a zero tolerance policy with him in order for this thing to have any chance of working.

He’ll never be able to transition. He’ll be 34 this year and has never screened or moved without the ball. His defense will continue to be awful. He has zero “role player” skills (Melo can at least act as a spot up shooter). He’s also in a terrible position playing with too many non-shooters and non-defenders. On a team with shooting and no other ball handling options he might still be an asset.

We’ve seen this story before. Hyper athletic guards who lose athleticism and don’t have other skills to fall back on. It will only get worse for Westbrook. This is lip service from Ham. If it isn’t the Lakers are in huge trouble.

How many 33 year old players have been able to completely revamp their game?

[SK21209]

When you want to trade a player in the offseason, you don't tell everyone you're going to do so in June and you definitely don't admit you're willing to attach draft compensation to do so. You do the exact opposite, actually, to preserve any shred of leverage you may have left in negotiating a Russ deal. Maybe they won't find a decent deal for Russ, but its obvious Ham's comments and the leaks coming out of the front office that they see Russ being on the team next year are attempts to preserve some leverage.

[makubesu]

Ham seems like he might have been a really good hire, I think the locker room will really like him.