LAS VEGAS – Los Angeles Lakers Darvin Ham, coach, is aware that his team could change by the time he coaches games that count in fall. But he embraces the current group.
Ham said to reporters that he loved everyone on the roster during Friday’s halftime loss to L.A. in the summer league. Phoenix Suns Friday. “And until we don’t have you on our roster, your name is ours. We’re going to work hard to make the best of what we have. This is just the bottom line.
“I don’t know any player in this league that hasn’t been the subject of trade rumors at least once.” It is what it is. It’s just the nature of our business. So, once again, I am very grateful for the men on our roster and I am proud of them. We want to maximize their efforts to help us reach that ultimate goal.
The Lakers will attempt to bring it back with the same core team of LeBron James, Anthony Davis And Russell Westbrook Ham’s vote in confidence will only benefit him and his player relationships.
However, it remains to be seen if.
The Lakers’ summer league squad might have been on the court playing the Suns, but all eyes were on the sidelines at Thomas & Mack Arena, where James and Westbrook couldn’t have been farther apart.
James sat at the south baseline with Rich Paul, his agent and Randy Mims (the Lakers’ executive administrator). Westbrook was positioned on the opposite sideline to the Lakers’ bench.
Between the first and second quarters, Ham and Lakers vice-president of basketball operations Rob Pelinka walked up from their half-court seats to greet James. Pelinka had a quick chat with James, and they covered their mouths by their hands to conceal their identities.
Trade talks between the Lakers and the Lakers have been initiated by the Lakers. Brooklyn Nets And the Indiana Pacers The positioning of James, Westbrook and other sources indicated that they were both sent out by ESPN in the latter scenario.
Other Lakers players were also present Talen Horton-Tucker, Wenyen Gabriel And Thomas Bryant — They made it to James.
James and Westbrook, however, remained in their respective corners. Westbrook left at halftime from one tunnel while James left after the third quarter from another.
When Ham was asked if he had tried to build camaraderie between the Lakers’ marquee players in James, Westbrook, and Davis since he was named head coach, Ham said that it has been difficult because of their summer schedules.
Ham stated, “This is a fun time of the year.” “AD is expecting a child. These guys are busy. They are very busy men. Russ is busy with his fashion business. LeBron is busy with a lot of things. Yes, communication has been a constant. It can be difficult for guys to communicate with each other when they have business besides basketball. They do a great job of keeping me connected.
James and Westbrook might not have been there on Friday, but both made an impact on the action, especially with the rookie guard Scotty Pippen Jr., who last month signed a contract for two with L.A.
Pippen led L.A. scoring 19 points with five turnovers. Phoenix’s defense was focused on him as the Lakers’ primary player.
Pippen spoke of Westbrook’s advice on how to defeat Suns’ defensive pressure and said, “He gave me some tips and I ended using them.”
James provided a second type of assistance, literally lifting Pippen off the ground after he had taken contact with the rim in the first part and then took a tumble at James’ feet.
Pippen replied, “I guess that’s cool,” before laughing and saying, “he kinda threw me up too high.”