D’Angelo Russell discloses ex-teammate Dennis Schroder was the reason behind him not developing a relationship with HC Darvin Ham

D'Angelo Russell had a rocky relationship with Coach Darvin Ham.

D’Angelo Russell discloses ex-teammate Dennis Schroder was the reason behind him not developing a relationship with HC Darvin Ham

D’Angelo names Dennis Schroder as the reason for his bad relationship with Coach Ham

D’Angelo Russell has risen above the criticism and doubts to emerge as one of the vital cogs in the Los Angeles Lakers wheel this season. He has been their most reliable third man after the evergreen LeBron James and star power forward Anthony Davis.

However, it wasn’t always this way, as it took a while before he won the trust of head coach Darvin Ham, who relied on an ex-player.

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The ex-player, Dennis Schroder, in the mind of Coach Ham, was a better defender, and with D’Angelo Russell struggling with his shooting, the Lakers’ coaching staff needed the balance. Although it saw them through the postseason, they were eventually blown away by the Luka Jokic-led Denver Nuggets in the Western Conference Finals. Russell didn’t even leave the bench in the series’ final game.

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Dennis Schroder and Coach Ham had a previous working relationship, as the latter was an assistant coach with the Atlanta Hawks when Schroder was on their roster.

With that in mind, one can deduce that Ham trusted Schroder more. Russell revealed to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin that that was the reason his relationship with Coach Ham was rocky and cold. 

His relationship with Darvin is the reason I couldn't have a relationship with Darvin. When I was struggling, I would've been able to come to the coach and say, 'Bro, this is what we should do. Like, I can help you.' Instead, there was no dialogue. ... I just accepted it. And we got swept, and I'm here, and he's not. And I like our chances.
Russell said

Russell joining the Lakers mid-season would always be a problem; team dynamics-wise, understanding how things worked was bound to be a hurdle he would have to cross eventually. However, his relationship with the coach and overall performance have improved, placing him as one of the Lakers’ most reliable players.

How Coach Darvin Ham and D’Angelo Russell built their relationship

D’Angelo Russell’s second coming with Los Angeles Lakers didn’t start on the best note, as he was regularly overlooked, combined with the criticism from fans. His relationship with his coach wasn’t great either.

However, Russell and Ham have, however, built their relationship with the breakthrough coming during a clash during a film session. Russell again shared this with ESPN’s Dave McMenamin.

The coach wanted better effort and execution; the player wanted to see sharper schemes. Ham was headstrong in his instructions, illustrating through the film where his team would “half-ass it through possessions.
Russell said

Furthermore, the conversation was a back-and-forth exchange, but thankfully, Russell could open up, and Coach Ham was willing to listen. That has resulted in Russell’s best performance. He averages 18 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 6.2 assists.

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