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The addition of a defensive-minded player like Patrick Beverley was a welcome move to the Lakers’ new head coach Darvin Ham who likes to put emphasis on defense.

He talked about the point guard during a recent press conference. “It’s great, I’ve always loved Patrick. It’s always been tough competing against him, but that’s why he is who he is,” Ham said.

“I think he’s going to be a lovely addition to our ball club and a great tone setter along with everyone else that we have already in terms of how we want to play and getting back to where he need to get back to.

“You hear him mentioning the grit, the grind, just being a dog out there, just having him in the fold, guys like Russ, Bron, AD, the new guys we’ve picked up to sign at free agency I think it’s going to be one hell of a year.

“So, I’m looking forward to him setting a real nice tone, especially on the defensive side of the ball which we really need to get better at and that’s going to take us where we need to go.”