Darvin Ham defends his decision to not call time-out on last play of LA Lakers vs 76ers

Darvin Ham is receiving a lot of heat from LA Lakers fans after his team lost a close 113-112 game against the Philadelphia 76ers. During the final two possessions of the game, it was a battle between Joel Embiid and Russell Westbrook.

Embiid ended up missing his shot in the first 1-on-1, which then gave Westbrook the opportunity to make a game-winner over the Sixers big man. However, many people strongly believe that coach Darvin Ham should've called a timeout instead of allowing a second 1-on-1 sequence between the two superstars. Unfortunately, Ham had a different perspective on the matter and defended his decision.

Here's what coach Darvin Ham had to say about calling a timeout in the final play:

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"No, not really. Down one, got one of our best playmakers to the rim, one of our best finishers at the rim, has the ball with Embiid standing in front of him. I'll take that scenario every day of the week and twice on Sunday. We just gotta finish the play. That's it... It just didn't work out. It is what it is."

Michael Corvo

@michaelcorvoNBA

Here were Darvin Ham's answers in his postgame press conference when asked about Russell Westbrook's decision on the final possession:

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Here were Darvin Ham's answers in his postgame press conference when asked about Russell Westbrook's decision on the final possession: https://t.co/g0l4MWiuna

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Fans are flabbergasted by Darvin Ham's no timeout call

Atlanta Hawks v Los Angeles Lakers

While Darvin Ham is keeping things positive about the controversial last possession on Sunday night, the fans are on a completely different page. Many believe that Ham should've called for a timeout instead of forcing a fantasy matchup. Here are some of the fans' reactions towards coach Ham:

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"Finish the play? He wasn't even close. Finish what exactly?"

WGM 🇮🇹🏆

@WhatGattusoMad

@michaelcorvoNBA Finish the play? He wasn't even close. Finish what exactly?

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@michaelcorvoNBA Finish the play? He wasn't even close. Finish what exactly?

"Should be sacked for that quote alone. Russ is Embiid's son"

HoopDogg

@Hoop__Dogg

@michaelcorvoNBA Should be sacked for that quote alone. Russ is Embiid's son

7

@michaelcorvoNBA Should be sacked for that quote alone. Russ is Embiid's son

"Fire this man."

HoopersX

@HoopersX

@michaelcorvoNBA Fire this man.

@michaelcorvoNBA Fire this man.

"lol there you have it lakers fans. your own coach will take westbrook over lebron anyday"

PHK

@PHK84R

@michaelcorvoNBA lol there you have it lakers fans. your own coach will take westbrook over lebron anyday 🤣

@michaelcorvoNBA lol there you have it lakers fans. your own coach will take westbrook over lebron anyday 🤣😂😂

"He talking as if they are #1 in the west and like we havent seen this shit all season long. No say whats really on your mind and stop trying to say some shit thats going to make everybody comfortable. That right there is why Lakers #13 in the west."

Kenzo Blythe

@BlytheKenzo

@michaelcorvoNBA He talking as if they are #1 in the west and like we havent seen this shit all season long.
No say whats really on your mind and stop trying to say some shit thats going to make everybody comfortable.
That right there is why Lakers #13 in the west.

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@michaelcorvoNBA He talking as if they are #1 in the west and like we havent seen this shit all season long.
No say whats really on your mind and stop trying to say some shit thats going to make everybody comfortable.
That right there is why Lakers #13 in the west.

Fans assumed that if the coach had called for play instead of allowing Russell Westbrook to go 1-on-1, the LA Lakers could've won the game.

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