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- Darvin Ham has plans for Russell Westbrook next season.
- The new Lakers head coach’s outlook for Westbrook sparked quite the reaction from NBA fans.
- Be sure to check out more sports stories at BroBible here.
Russell Westbrook seems to be a part of the Los Angeles Lakers’ future. That was unclear during the home stretch of the regular season and became a major debate when the Lakers put together one of the most embarrassing campaigns in league history by missing the playoffs.
Nevertheless, new Lakers head coach Darvin Ham appears to see Westbrook as a piece of Los Angeles’ puzzle next season.
Ham made an appearance on ESPN’s ‘NBA Today’ and laid out his plans for Westbrook next season. Specifically, Ham spoke on what exactly he wants to see Westbrook become next year, and his comments were surprising.
“I want him to go back to being a pitbull on the defensive end, and everything else is going to flow from there,” Ham explained.
“We’re going to implement some different running habits that I think is going to benefit him, different areas on the floor he’ll be able to attack from. I want him to set a tone defensively for our team. Get back to guarding, guarding, guarding.”
It’s safe to say that Lakers fans weren’t expecting to hear Ham talk about wanting more out of Westbrook on the defensive end.
The veteran guard had a below-average shooting year last season. While Westbrook playing lockdown defense will improve the Lakers, he’s going to need to regain his form on the offensive side as well.
Paying your starting point guard $47 million next season to just focus on playing defense doesn’t sound like a winning strategy.
NBA Fans React To Darvin Ham’s Plan For Russell Westbrook
When was First Round Russ last guarding at a “championship level?”
Has that ever happened? https://t.co/pCPSkhMkSs
— Captain Bruisin, cruise director (@Ian_A_Boyd) June 7, 2022
He hasn’t guarded at that level for at least five years. Make him a factor on the offensive end, or you’re doomed. In fact, bring him back in any capacity and you’re doomed. https://t.co/WMoxQYrhMm
— Bruce Jenkins (@Bruce_Jenkins1) June 7, 2022
Really wanted to also hear “ I want him to get back to his pull up mid range game when he was back in okc” 😫 https://t.co/v0Yd3GCTga
— Zeek (@zeek2513) June 6, 2022
Lakers: Fires a defensively minded coach. Also Lakers: hires defensively minded coach
MAKE IT MAKE SENSE https://t.co/mOxRhKCoz6
— Aaron Barlava (@ABarlava) June 7, 2022
this man must be a magician cause that would be one hell of a trick https://t.co/cCbqvKKcJO
— TJD (@KillSwitchTD92) June 6, 2022
You want him to what now? https://t.co/QCxK0k6bqZ
— Joey Franchise (@happyjoelucky) June 6, 2022