Off to a 2-10 start in his first season as a head coach, Darvin Ham got some support from Lakers star Anthony Davis after the team’s most recent loss, writes Dave McMenamin of ESPN. Davis, who has been criticized for poor second-half production in recent games, responded with 37 points and 18 rebounds Sunday in a much-needed win over the Nets.
“Had a real good conversation with [Davis] after our last game, our last loss,” Ham said. “And he just said, ‘I got your back, Coach.’ And that was huge for me being a first-time head coach and having a player of that magnitude just constantly try and do everything you ask him to do.”
The Lakers hope Sunday’s performance will help turn their season around after a disastrous start. It was their first victory without LeBron James, who is sidelined with a left adductor strain, and it provides a chance to refocus with four off days coming up.
“We wanted to win tonight, for sure. Let us feel good going into this off week before Friday’s game,” Davis said. “It gives a chance for guys to kind of get away from the game for a couple days and reset and come back with a mentality that we got to run off some [wins] in a row.”
There’s more on the Lakers:
- The break in the schedule gives L.A. a chance to have a fully healthy roster for the first time this season, McMenamin adds. James was listed as doubtful last night, but has a chance to play Friday after a few more days of rest. Dennis Schröder and Thomas Bryant, who are both recovering from thumb surgery, may be ready for their season debuts. They will be reevaluated on Thursday.
- Patrick Beverley welcomed the challenge of starting Sunday’s game by guarding Kevin Durant, tweets Dan Woike of The Los Angeles Times. The Lakers traded for Beverley this offseason to handle their toughest defensive assignments. “That’s how I made my name in the NBA, those matchups,” Beverley said.
- Rookie guard Max Christie saw rotation minutes for the fourth straight game, notes Kyle Goon of The Orange County Register. The second-round pick is mainly in the lineup to handle three-and-D duties while some of his older teammates are injured. “If I have an off game, it’s not the biggest deal because nobody really expected me to contribute anyway,” he said. “So it’s just sort of icing on the cake for me to keep going as hard as I can, but at the same time there’s no pressure on me.”

Davis been on some prime KG shxt so far this season. Much like prime KG he could use some better guard play & a competent 5 to help him get some Ws. Bron’s return is obv huge but so is Dennis & TBryant’s… Riley & Bron need to get on the phone & stamp the Russ/JTA for Lowry/Duncan deal. Makes both teams better…. unless they (LAL) are holding out for Kyrie
If yall hate Russ just wait til u get a load of this guy lol.. link to m.youtube.com
What’s not to the like. A Westbrook/Ant Edwards/Cam Thomas mash up.
There’s a lil bit of all the great athletic lead guards in Scoot’s game. Wall, Russ, Rose, Francis, BDavis, Kyrie, Ja, etc. Same way fans turned on those guys they’ll turn on Scoot. I guess Ja hasn’t got his yet but he def will
Do LeBron tight. Trade him to Phoenix and let him play with Paul. Get Anton, Crowder and picks back. Then send a first, Nunn and bev to the pacers for Heild
Bron can’t be traded because he signed the extension when he did….