The Los Angeles Lakers are currently one of the worst teams in the Western Conference. Following their most recent defeat against the Portland Trail Blazers, the Lakers have now dropped to a 26-32 record in the 2022-23 NBA season.
It was none other than Damian Lillard who destroyed the Lakers with a scoring outburst in the opening half of the game. By the time the game ended, Lillard contributed 40 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists in a comfortable 127-115 victory for the Trail Blazers against a LeBron James-less Lakers.
Lillard was simply in the zone and seemed to make almost every shot he attempted in the game. Obviously, it’s tough for any coach to defend a player when the said player is in such form.
Darvin Ham Admitted Defeat Against Damian Lillard
There is a thin line between praising an opposing team’s player and admitting defeat to him. Lakers head coach Darvin Ham seemed to be tilting towards the latter in the postgame conference after the loss against the Trail Blazers.
Ham was asked about his thoughts on Dame’s 40-point performance. The rookie head coach may have started out his answer on the right note, but he certainly finished it on the wrong one.
(Starts at 2:42)
“He’s just a phenomenal ball player… outside stealing his sneakers I don’t know what else to do." Darvin Ham gives credit to Dame tonight and talks about the #Lakers figuring things out. pic.twitter.com/I1xWOckfHn
— Spectrum SportsNet (@SpectrumSN) February 14, 2023
“He’s such an elite level scorer, basketball player. Smart, finding different ways to get the ball even though we’re trying to deny him off the ball. His movements, the way he navigates and uses screens. He’s just a phenomenal ball player, Anfernee as well. You just try to do your best to make it as difficult as possible for him. Outside of stealing his sneakers, I don’t know what else you can do. You play good D and he still knocks down shots.”
As we mentioned earlier, there is no harm in praising a player from the opposing team. But considering the Lakers are currently struggling to even grab a play-in tournament spot, this answer from Ham says a lot about his mentality.
The Lakers need a coach with a tough mentality to figure out ways to stop the best players on the opposing team. Instead, Ham’s answer clearly shows the lack of that tough mentality from him.
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