Lakers’ Darvin Ham Calls for Consistent Effort After Win Over Thunder

In a much-needed victory against the Oklahoma City Thunder, LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers snapped a challenging stretch that saw them lose four out of five games following their NBA In-Season Tournament championship triumph. The win coincided with a lineup change implemented by assistant coach Darvin Ham, who started Jarred Vanderbilt and moved D’Angelo Russell to the bench.

Post-game, Ham issued a challenge to the team, urging them to consistently play at the level they showcased against the Thunder. Jovan Buha of The Athletic reported Ham’s words, emphasizing the need for the Lakers to embody their desired style of basketball throughout every game, not just when there’s something significant at stake.

“We have to get to the point where we can initiate, sustain and finish based on what we want Laker basketball to look like,” Ham stated. “Not just if we’re playing for something or it’s something at stake or whatever. It can’t just be about that.”

The Lakers’ flawless record in the In-Season Tournament suggested that they may have approached certain games with varying levels of intensity. Ham’s call for consistency aligns with the team’s current standing at 16-14, placing them in ninth position in the competitive Western Conference. Despite facing injury challenges, the Lakers are also dealing with inconsistencies from various players on the roster.

Darvin Ham’s message is clear: for LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and the entire Lakers squad, every game should be approached with the same level of seriousness and determination. With a tough matchup against the Boston Celtics on Christmas Day, the Lakers aim to build on the momentum generated by their recent victory and prove their ability to compete at the highest level consistently.