"I expect him to be highly competitive and tenacious" - Darvin Ham expects Russell Westbrook to show no love to the LA Lakers
Russell Westbrook will face Darvin Ham and the LA Lakers for the first time since he was shipped out of Los Angeles before the trade deadline. Westbrook’s tenure, which started with a lot of fanfare, ended with a much-anticipated trade after he was blamed for most of the Lakers’ failures.
Ham, though, had this to say about the former MVP (via Mark Medina):
“I expect him to be highly competitive and tenacious and all the things that made me a fan and causes me to still be a fan. It’s unfortunate it didn’t work out. But I applaud him.
“I appreciate him. I respect him for what he tried to do, in particular for me as a head coach, in terms of sacrificing and believing in realignment.
“A lot more positive moments than negative ones where he came out and competed and helped us win games. I wish him nothing but the best going forward. I expect him to be normal Russ - competitive and relentless.”
Lakers coach Darvin Ham on facing Russell Westbrook w/ the Clippers for the first time since dealing him before the trade deadline. https://t.co/StNIyEQMSh
Upon his hiring as the LA Lakers’ new shot-caller, Darvin Ham insisted that coaching Russell Westbrook was a big reason why he accepted the job. The first-time head coach repeatedly told the media that working with a future Hall of Famer was something he was looking forward to.
After a disastrous start to their season where they went 2-10, tied for the worst in franchise history, Ham instituted significant changes. One such restructuring was forcing Westbrook to play the sixth-man role. The former MVP initially balked at the plan but eventually acceded to Ham’s strategy.
Westbrook started to turn around his horrible stint with the Lakers after following Ham’s move to start off the bench. “Russ” eventually became one of the leading contenders for the Sixth Man of the Year award before general manager Rob Pelinka ultimately traded him.
Russell Westbrook is putting up almost the same numbers with the LA Clippers as he was with the Lakers. The major difference has been his place in the starting unit with his new team and his improved shooting percentage.
An improved Westbrook could be the difference in Wednesday’s crucial meeting between the rivals.
Russell Westbrook is in the middle of the biggest game between the LA Lakers and the LA Clippers
The LA Lakers and the LA Clippers have never met in the playoffs. The “Hallway Series” has always happened in the regular season.
On Wednesday night, both will be battling for a chance to get a firmer hold of the coveted sixth spot in the Western Conference. They share the sixth and seventh seeds, separated only by the Clippers’ edge in the tiebreaker.
The winner will move closer to earning a guaranteed place in the playoffs.
Russell Westbrook never won against the LA Clippers while he was playing alongside LeBron James. He wants to maintain his new team’s dominance now that he’s playing beside two-time NBA Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard.
Russell Westbrook has repeated over the past few weeks that he’s having more fun playing with the Clippers. One can only imagine the fun he would have if he were to contribute heavily to their potential win over his former team.