Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

Ham vows turnaround: Didn't come to L.A. to lose

Written by 
Published in Basketball
Tuesday, 08 November 2022 06:41

SALT LAKE CITY -- An undermanned Los Angeles Lakers team dropped to 2-8 on the season with a 139-116 loss to the Utah Jazz on Monday. It was their third straight loss, all by 14 points or more.

And in each of those losses, L.A. looked progressively ineffective on the defensive end after showing some signs of life on that end at the outset of season.

Yet, as bleak as things might seem, ranked 14th out of 15 teams in the Western Conference through 10 games played, Lakers coach Darvin Ham vowed a turnaround is on the way.

"I would say this, man. And write it, quote it, however," Ham told reporters, beginning an impassioned diatribe about the state of the Lakers. "This may be happening now at the outset of what we're trying to force to be a culture change in terms of getting us back to being highly competitive on a highly consistent basis, but it's not going to always be like this.

"We're going to turn the corner. I didn't come here to lose. They didn't bring me here to lose."

With LeBron James sidelined because of discomfort in his left foot and L.A. down two other starters because of an illness (non-COVID) that's swept through the locker room in Lonnie Walker and Patrick Beverley, the upstart Jazz controlled the action from the start.

Ham said the rocky start was to be expected for a team experiencing so much turnover from a year ago, and some injury misfortunate, thus far.

"There is a process involved where we have to go through tough times," Ham continued. "Like, I want to bottle this up. I want to embrace it. I want to have it and store it so when things are turned around and we get too comfortable and we start complaining about some problems that are not even necessarily problems -- problems that winning teams go through -- I want to be able to reflect on these times."

Without James, Anthony Davis led the Lakers with 29 points on 11-for-18 shooting, and Russell Westbrook went 8-for-14 for 22 points off the bench.

Davis took accountability for his play on the defensive end by pointing out how he was saddled by early foul trouble and didn't do enough to stop Lauri Markkanen on drives to the hoop. He said the team's failure came in the third quarter, when the Lakers were outscored 39-27.

"It's like we just stopped communicating in the third quarter, stopped helping one another," Davis said. "We can't afford that."

And he lamented the state of the team.

"S---, 2-8 is a hard pill for me to swallow," Davis said. "Obviously, it can change around. I think New Orleans was 1-12 or something last year, come back and go on a run. We've got to put it together. Offense has found its rhythm. It seems like we've lost all our defensive intensity. And that's what's killing us."

Ham specifically said he was not aiming his postgame comments at Davis -- "That's not directed at AD," he said -- but remained steadfast in his optimism in the Lakers' situation.

"I don't want anyone around me with a defeatist mentality," Ham said. "I don't want anyone around me that's not competitive. I don't want anyone around me that's selfish. We got to be on the same page at all times, through the good, bad and indifferent. And that's all I can say about that. ...

"I've always seen the glass half full, regardless of the circumstance. And it's damn sure not going to stop now. We're going to push through this and we're going to be better for it."

Read 144 times

Soccer

USWNT's Albert apologizes after Rapinoe criticism

USWNT's Albert apologizes after Rapinoe criticism

EmailPrintUnited States women's national team midfielder Korbin Albert apologized on Thursday for pr...

Leicester sack women's boss for breach of conduct

Leicester sack women's boss for breach of conduct

EmailPrintLeicester City manager Willie Kirk has been dismissed from his position after an internal...

Davies' agent blasts Bayern's contract 'ultimatum'

Davies' agent blasts Bayern's contract 'ultimatum'

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsThe agent of Bayern Munich star Alphonso Davies has criticised the...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

Basketball

Hornets shut down LaMelo (ankle) for season

Hornets shut down LaMelo (ankle) for season

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsCharlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball will not play again this season...

Lawyer: Ex-G Leaguer won't face death penalty

Lawyer: Ex-G Leaguer won't face death penalty

EmailPrintFormer G League player Chance Comanche, who was charged with the murder of a woman whose b...

Baseball

Opening Day takeaways: What we learned from a wild start to the 2024 MLB season

Opening Day takeaways: What we learned from a wild start to the 2024 MLB season

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsWhat an MLB Opening Day!All 30 teams were scheduled to be in action...

Heroic debut: Soto's throw saves Yankees in 9th

Heroic debut: Soto's throw saves Yankees in 9th

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsHOUSTON -- That Juan Soto's first signature Yankee moment happened...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated