Darvin Ham on Russell Westbrook late game benching: ‘We don’t have time for people to be in their feelings’

By HoopsHype | October 23, 2022

What’s the buzz on Twitter? Dave McMenamin @mctenDarvin Ham when asked if he has concern about how Russell Westbrook will handle being benched late on Sunday: “We don’t have time for people to be in their feelings” – 6:47 PM Kyle Goon @kylegoonRuss said in the locker room that he was looking for a 2 for 1 on his jumpshot with 27 seconds left. Darvin Ham said he agreed with the impulse to get a 2 for 1, but he wished Westbrook would have attacked the rim rather than pulling up. – 6:41 PM Jovan Buha @jovanbuhaDarvin Ham said he brought Russell Westbrook back in the game because he wanted another athletic perimeter defender so the Lakers could switch on the perimeter. – 6:30 PM Sam Quinn @SamQuinnCBSEvery Lakers starter had a positive point differential except for Russell Westbrook (-4).Lakers starters not named Russell Westbrook shot 29-of-55 from the field (52.7%).Russell Westbrook shot 4-of-15 from the field (26.7%).It’s time. Bring him off of the bench. – 6:27 PM Ben Golliver @BenGolliverBlazers close on an 11-2 run to beat the Lakers, 106-104.– Chauncey Billups had center Jusuf Nurkic defend &completely lay off Russell Westbrook on multiple late possessions.– Westbrook: 4-15 shooting & two big misses in last four minutes– Lakers: 6-33 (18%) on threes – 6:12 PM Jovan Buha @jovanbuhaThe Blazers completely botch their defensive coverage and give LeBron a wide-open dunk. Game tied 104-104 with 7.7 seconds left. Timeout Blazers. No Russell Westbrook on that final offensive possession for LA. – 6:05 PM Mike Trudell @LakersReporterLAL trail 104-102 after a Lillard 3 in the final seconds.Lakers were up 98-90 when they put Westbrook back in for Troy Brown Jr.; offense has struggled to produce good looks since. – 6:05 PM Casey Holdahl @CHoldWestbrook misses a midrange jumper, Blazers get the rebound, Nurkic sets a pick near the halfcourt line on Beverly, is called for an offensive foul, and now it’s being reviewed. Lakers up one with 21.8 seconds to play. – 6:00 PM Mark Medina @MarkG_MedinaPatrick Beverley with a potential game-saving possession. With the Lakers holding a 102-101 lead over Portland, Russell Westbrook missed an open jumper. Beverley then drew an offensive foul on Nurkic with 21.8 seconds left. Play under review. – 5:59 PM Jovan Buha @jovanbuhaThis is the second crunch time in a row that a team has used their center to defend Russell Westbrook and it’s clogged up the Lakers’ already poor spacing. – 5:59 PM Kyle Goon @kylegoonPortland’s defense is ignoring Russell Westbrook. They’re putting Nurkic on him, and he’s not leaving the paint. – 5:57 PM Chuck Cooperstein @coopmavsThe Lakers need to end the Russell Westbrook experience now. Although if they do keep him and allow him to keep shooting shots other than off drives to the rim, he could help them with their Wenbanyama lottery odds. He’s 2-10 FG today vs POR – 5:06 PM Mike Trudell @LakersReporterAfter both teams took turns missing shots on six consecutive attempts (3 from Westbrook, 2 from Simons), LAL ripped off a quick 7-0 run to tie the game at 59, as LeBron and AD scored inside, and Beverley hit a 3. – 5:06 PM Jovan Buha @jovanbuhaThe Lakers are using same starters vs. the Blazers:Russell WestbrookLonnie Walker IVPatrick BeverleyLeBron JamesAnthony Davis – 3:03 PM Mike Trudell @LakersReporterChauncey Billups on former teammate Darvin Ham: “When they hired him, I was like, it’s about time. He’s put in his work, worked for a lot of great coaches. He’s a great leader. When he says something, you took heed to it. It always came from the right place, not (about him).” – 2:05 PM Mike Trudell @LakersReporterDarvin Ham said he’s been impressed by Troy Brown Jr., who will make his debut today after dealing with a sore back for the past few weeks.He likes the 23-year-old’s ability to defend and shoot, and will bring him in off the bench: “We’ll work him in pretty early in the game.” – 1:55 PM Mark Medina @MarkG_MedinaLakers coach Darvin Ham said Anthony Davis is “fine” after taking a hard fall in Thursday’s game vs the Clippers – 1:53 PM Mike Trudell @LakersReporterDarvin Ham said Anthony Davis is fine after taking that hard fall last game. Obviously he returned to play in the game on Thursday, and practiced yesterday.He’ll start today vs. Portland at 12:30 p.m. on @SpectrumSN. – 1:51 PM Brad Turner @BA_TurnerDarvin Ham said they are going to throw Troy Brown Jr “right into the fire” today for Lakers vs Portland – 1:49 PM Dave McMenamin @mctenDarvin Ham says Troy Brown Jr. has an “unbelievable upside” for the Lakers this season. He’ll make his season debut today after missing time with lower back tightness. Ham says Brown will bring size on the wing defensively, athleticism and shooting to the court for the Lakers. – 1:48 PM More on this storyline To leave a comment, you will need to Sign in or create an account if you already have an account. Typed comments will be lost if you are not signed in.