Although the Los Angeles Lakers’ experiment in bringing together LeBron James, Anthony Davis and Russell Westbrook last season was a failure – for various reasons – the team’s new coach, Darvin Ham, assured before the team’s first preseason game that he fully trusts them, and that this campaign will be one of vindication.
“I trust all of them,” Ham told ESPN. “I’m ready to see them play at a very, very high level. I know things will be much better this season,” he added.
The Lakers’ Big Three played just 21 games last season due to various injuries, and the team went 11-10 when James, Davis and Westbrook weren’t on the floor at the same time.
Darvin Ham on the possibility of LeBron, AD and Russ playing in Monday’s preseason opener: “If possible, yeah.”
Ham said he’s going to get with his staff tomorrow to decide.
— Jovan Buha (@jovanbuha) October 1, 2022
Ham has a plan to give LeBron and Westbrook a chance to run the team’s offense without colliding at the chanca. The idea is that each player has their defined role.
“James and Westbrook are one of the two best players in the NBA and they have the ability to move the ball in an extraordinary way. We want both of them to also attack the paint and be the pillars of the rhythm of the team,” Ham explained.
Ham expects players from his Big Three to be available for the start of preseason on Monday against the Sacramento Kings, but his minutes will be accounted for cautiously.
