Darvin Ham commends Lakers despite 8-point defeat to Nuggets…
Following an emotional night at the Crypto.com Arena, where the Kobe Bryant statue was unveiled, the Los Angeles Lakers (27-26) faced the Denver Nuggets (36-16) in a hard-fought battle.
Despite displaying admirable grit and toughness reminiscent of Kobe’s spirit, the Lakers fell short to the defending NBA champions, losing 114-106.
Lakers’ head coach Darvin Ham expressed satisfaction with the team’s effort and awarded them an A+ grade “for their competitiveness and performance against Denver,” as reported by The Athletic’s Jovan Buha. This acknowledgment introduces the concept of moral victories in the NBA.
While Ham’s positive assessment might divide a fan base eager to witness notable improvement in the remaining 29 regular-season games, there are optimistic takeaways from the night, aligning with the celebratory atmosphere of the Kobe Bryant statue unveiling.
In a closely contested match, Anthony Davis showcased an outstanding performance, scoring 32 points on an impressive 14-of-27 shooting, accompanied by nine rebounds, four blocks, and three steals. LeBron James also contributed with a well-rounded performance, posting a 25/9/7 stat line.
The dynamic duo kept the Lakers in contention until the final moments, with the score tied at 104 and just over two minutes left. However, Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. orchestrated a decisive 10-0 scoring run, securing the road victory for the Nuggets.
While resilience remains a crucial asset, proven beneficial for the Lakers in the previous season, the concern arises when both James and Davis deliver strong performances, yet the team faces a defeat.
Throughout the season, the effectiveness of the supporting cast has been a recurring theme, with injuries and underperformance plaguing the roster. Now that the trade deadline has passed, addressing these issues becomes imperative for the Lakers.
Collective production is key, particularly in their home court. Merely putting in effort will not earn favorable grades if the team finds itself once again vying for a spot in the NBA Play-In Tournament. Additionally, it poses a challenge for Darvin Ham during his performance review.
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