Darvin Ham opens up about Russell Westbrook joining the Los Angeles Clippers
Russell Westbrook joined the Clippers after a buyout from the Utah Jazz. Darvin Ham said that he was appreciative of Russ sacrificing and coming off the bench.
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Russell Westbrook and Darvin Ham
Darvin Ham and Russell Westbrook did not have the best relationship, while the star player was playing for the Los Angeles Lakers. It was reported that Westbrook had an issue with Ham giving him fewer minutes on the floor and bringing him off the bench. Perhaps the latest mid-season trade did something good for both the Lakers and Westbrook. When Ham was asked about Russ joining the Clippers, he appreciated Westbrook for sacrificing for the team. However, the Lakers’ head coach also tried to avoid questions regarding Westbrook.
Appreciating Westbrook, Ham had positive feedback from DH. “Well, I’ll just say this: I appreciate Russ for everything he tried to do for us, for sacrificing, complying with my vision of him coming off the bench and having a more balanced lineup,” Ham said. “I wish him well going forward, and that’s it.” Despite the fact that Westbrook initially resisted the idea of coming off the bench, he eventually complied with Ham’s plan and came off the bench.
It is not clear whether it would be weird for the Lakers and Ham to have Westbrook in the team that they share the biggest rivalry. Russ joining the Clippers not only gives them a ball handler but can also help them play with more pace. Westbrook would be surrounded by shooters around him with the Clippers. That being the scenario, perhaps, Russ can capitalize on that. As for the lakers, they certainly got better with the pieces that they got from the Westbrook trade.
Russell Westbrook says he would do what his team needs him to do
Over time Russell Westbrook has changed his role change with the Lakers. There is a possibility that perhaps he might see the same with the Clippers. When asked about his role in the new Clippers’ uniform, Russ said that he was ready for his role with the team. “Whatever they need me to do,” Westbrook said. “I’ll do it and do it to the best of my ability,” he said. Interestingly, he had his roles reduced, but it created a lot of tension within the locker room.
However, when head coach Tyronn Lue was asked about using Westbrook in the new roster for the Clippers, he said that he wants Westbrook to be himself. “We want Russ to be Russ,” Lue said, “and so if he’s doing too much, or not enough, I’ll let him know. But we wanted him to be the player that he is, you know, the MVP, the Hall of Famer, everything he brings every single night.”
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Nandjee Ranjan
(488 Articles Published)