Darvin Ham, the coach of the Los Angeles Lakers, wants Russell Westbrook to be considered for this year’s sixth Man of the Year award.
Since being added to the Lakers’ bench, Westbrook has flourished. Russ has averaged 16.3 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 6.6 assists over the course of his last three games as a sixth man. Additionally, he has a good 46% field goal percentage.
The Lakers defeated the New Orleans Pelicans 120-117 in overtime on Wednesday, and Westbrook played outstandingly. The former MVP finished with 13 points, 9 rebounds, 7 assists, and a 5-of-7 field goal percentage. These results were achieved by Westbrook in just 25 minutes of play.
After demonstrating his value against the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Denver Nuggets, it was his third consecutive excellent performance off the bench.
Russell Westbrook’s performance against the Pelicans delighted Darvin Ham. The inexperienced coach indicated that his next goal was to elevate Westbrook to the discussion for the sixth man of the year.
After the game, Ham stated to the media (according to Cooper Halpern): “Russ had a terrible night, man, believe me. He has excelled throughout the past three games. Why not start now? Getting him into the running for 6th Man of the Year is one of my selfish aims.”
Playing a crucial part in Russell Westbrook’s recovery is Darvin Ham
It is clear that Russell Westbrook’s time in Los Angeles has not gone as planned. The nine-time NBA All-Star entered the situation with high hopes and the chance to represent his local team. However, his performance suffered as a result of his difficult chemistry with LeBron James.
Last season, Westbrook averaged 18/7/7 on 44% of his shots. Even though those were respectable figures, the former MVP had higher expectations for himself, especially following a triple-double season in 2020–21.
While James and Anthony Davis were the two ball-dominant superstars, Westbrook struggled to play as the third option. The latter pair’s injuries also prohibited them from lining up together on a regular basis.
Russell Westbrook failed to make an impression because former Lakers coach Frank Vogel had trouble defining a position for him. Additionally, the roster’s design was subpar, and Davis, who was supposed to be the crucial component, struggled to maintain his health.
With a 33-49 record at the end of the regular season, the LA Lakers were eliminated from the play-in round and the playoffs as a result. Fans wanted Westbrook gone this summer because he was mostly held accountable for the team’s problems. He was the focal point of transactions that the Lakers also pursued.
Darvin Ham, on the other hand, has supported Westbrook ever since he joined the helm. This season, Russ has also played effectively on both ends of the court, demonstrating a greater level of devotion. He also appears to have accepted the position Ham gave him.
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