Darvin Ham: Lakers ‘Took A Huge Step Backward’

Just as it seemed all was right with the Lakers, or at least a little closer to right, they lost to surprising Jazz at home.

Worse, they gave up a ton of points, falling by a ridiculous 130-116 count. This from a Lakers team that had been taking great pride in its defense. But as Greg Anthony said on NBA TV, the Jazz seemed as if they were playing “five-on-zero.”

Lakers coach Darvin Ham tended to agree.

“We took a huge step backward,” Ham told reporters. “It’s the first game where I felt like we really weren’t there defensively.”

While Russell Westbrook seems to have been reborn in a reserve role, the Lakers as a unit remain inconsistent. They stand at 2-6, with one of their wins coming only after Pelicans rookie Dyson Daniels missed two free throws that could have iced it, followed by a miracle shot from Matt Ryan.

So there’s a reason Ham wants the Lakers to defend. It offers their best chance back to contention.

“There’s 60,000 points in our locker room, so I’m not worried about our offense,” Ham said. “Our defensive effort has to be there. Our defense was inept at best.”