Darvin Ham, the new head coach the Lakers, wants his team to have togetherness and accountability this coming season. His comments suggest that he is sending a subtle message to Russell Westbrook who reportedly wants to leave the team.
The former NBA MVP recently parted ways with his longtime agent Thad Foucher who though that the best option for his client going forward is to remain with the Lakers. Another report suggested that Russ had his former agent ‘beg’ the Nets to take him.
Ham made it very clear that he does not want players on his team that have doubts whether they want to a Laker. Although he did not specify any names, the aforementioned rumors suggest that it was directed at Westbrook.
Via Jake Rogers of NBA Analysis Network:
“Competing at a high level. We’re going to be together. The most together team always does well, always wins at the end of the day. And accountability. We’re going to be tough. We’re going to be defensive-minded. That’s the side of the ball where you’re going to see the quickest and most drastic improvement and we’re going to share offensively.”
“Again, we want everybody all in on what we’re doing. We don’t want anybody that’s second-guessing being a Laker or ‘Am I in the right place?’ or this, that and the third.”
