The Los Angeles Lakers finally won their first game of the season and celebrated wildly to mark Darvin Ham’s first win as an NBA head coach.
The Lakers entered the clash against the Denver Nuggets with an 0-5 record - the worst in the league - but they stormed to a 121-110 win over back-to-back MVP Nikola Jokic’s title contenders. The Lakers showed an improved attitude and mentality, fighting back from an early 10-point deficit to clinch the victory.
LeBron James led the way offensively with 26 points and eight assists, but the 37-year-old also put in the crucial effort and hustle on the defensive end. Anthony Davis added 23 points and 15 rebounds while the much-maligned Russell Westbrook put up 18 points, eight rebounds and eight assists off the bench in an impressive performance.
Ham's arrival has improved the team in multiple way - but the results didn’t come as the Lakers lost each of their opening five games. On Sunday, they produced a stellar performance to secure the needed first win for the rookie head coach.
After the game, the Lakers players gave Ham an ice bath to celebrate his first win while the players wildly celebrated in the locker room. They had more than just the win to celebrate, as the Lakers put together their finest offensive game of the season, shooting 43.3% from deep and 47.9% from the floor.
They paired offensive efficiency with defensive effort to secure the win, and Ham will hope his team can build off the win to climb up the Western Conference standings. The 49-year-old has experience working with stars like Giannis Antetokounmpo as an assistant, and it appears the likes of James, Davis and Westbrook have bought into his philosophy with their visible commitment on the court.
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Darvin Ham has led the LA Lakers to second spot in defensive rating after finishing 21st in the same category just last season. The most significant impact Ham has had is instilling a selfless playing style with the star-studded roster.
After the win, he said: “It's part of the process. We have to go through that bad in order to understand why tonight feels so great.”
The decision to bring Westbrook off the bench has revitalised the former MVP after many thought he wouldn't be receptive to a reduced role. Decisions like that have seen Ham receive tremendous support from the franchise - but he will need to translate the positive atmosphere into wins.
The Lakers sit at 1-5 - four wins from breaking even at .500. The roster deficiencies remain, but nights like Sunday highlight how formidable an opponent they can be even against title contenders like the Nuggets. If the shooting improves, there is no reason why the Lakers cannot climb back and qualify for the postseason.
