Feb 14, 2018; Detroit, MI, USA; Atlanta Hawks assiatant coach Darvin Ham smiles during the first quarter against the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Darvin Ham’s Los Angeles Lakers are making their presence felt in the Western Conference after they fought hard to register their 5th consecutive win in the 2022-23 season. While Sacramento Kings are an offensively loaded team, with exceptional shooters placed all around one another, a short-handed Lakers side pulled off the unthinkable in a stunning manner.
Being without the services of Anthony Davis, Austin Raves, and Lonnie Walker IV, this was the first instance in almost a year where four of the Lakers’ players dropped more than 20 points – LeBron James had 37, Thomas Bryant had 29, Dennis Schroder had 27 and Russell Westbrook added 23 points respectively.
In a game that saw no team take the initiative in double digits, the Lakers showcased their true dominance in the paint as they attacked the Kings’ inner circle throughout the four quarters with explicit aggression. The same was acknowledged the coach Darvin Ham in the post-game interview.
Darvin Ham said, “We just didn’t want to settle. Hit rollers hit guys, and get as many points in the paint as possible. Put pressure on them, guard the rim, or foul.
“I thought we did an excellent job. Seventy points in the paint. That’s who we are. We want to play fast, physically, and free, with force. That was actually a representation of our physicality. At the end of the day, 33 free-throw attempts as well. But guys are not settling, they’re attacking. Staying in constant attack mode.”
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