“We have no excuses.” This is what Austin Reaves and Anthony Davis said together on Wednesday evening when asked about the absences of D'Angelo Russell, Gabe Vincent and Rui Hachimura against the Heat. A speech that contrasts with that of their coach.
Darvin Ham assures that the Lakers need to be complete to shine, and according to The Athletic, his message would no longer get across within the group. In question, his multiple changes of starting five, and more recently the choice to start without a playmaker, with Russell relegated to the bench. Our colleagues are not talking about a possible dismissal but the players and their coach would no longer be on the same wavelength.
“We must be healthy,” Ham repeated after the loss to the Heat. “And once healthy, guys have to get back into rhythm and we have to find a consistent five, a consistent rotation that we can work with. When you have to deal with guys who come in and out of the rotation so frequently, it's almost impossible to find a rhythm. It is reality. This is not a criticism of anyone.”
A return to a more classic five?
An argument that holds since the Lakers have never been complete this season with the injuries to Jared Vanderbilt, Gabe Vincent, Rui Hachimura and now D'Angelo Russell. Except that they also won the NBA tournament, proof that they have enough talent to compensate for these absences.
“The absences of several players from the rotation have more impact than the absence of a leader because we will find a way to manage without him” estimates the Lakers coach, taking an example from the unavailability of Jimmy Butler in Miami. “When your key elements, key players in your rotation, miss three or four games. And the fact that it comes together is what makes things complicated. We must find a solution. I am disappointed, but not discouraged. »
In search of stability, Ham could return to a more classic five. “Everything that makes sense is on the table” he replies. “No avenue should be overlooked. We are here to explore everything we can to right the ship. »
Maybe it will involve an exchange since we were talking about the arrival of Zach LaVine…
