Lakers News: Darvin Ham is eager to play the Suns in the season-long tournament quarterfinal.
The NBA In-Season Tournament has revitalized the regular season and provided players with a reason to participate in this competition.
That has been the case for the Los Angeles Lakers, who won all four of their games in West Group A and, thanks to their plus-74 point differential, earned the top seed in the entire conference. Los Angeles has won three of their four games by double digits, suggesting that they are driven to win the tournament.
The Lakers’ quarterfinal matchup with the Phoenix Suns is next. With a little bit more on the line—the winner of Tuesday’s game will advance to the semifinals in Las Vegas—this will be the third meeting between these two teams. Early in the season, head coach Darvin Ham discusses the familiarity between the two teams.
After practice on Monday, Ham remarked, “They haven’t been whole, we haven’t seen the three-headed monster together as of yet.” “Just try to go out, focus on what you need to do, and put your best foot forward. Even with one of those guys out, they’re still a formidable ball club playing at a high level.”
Ham was asked if he would coach Tuesday’s game any differently, maybe more like a playoff game, given that the In-Season Tournament presents a different atmosphere and more is at stake.
“No, we always try to coach with a lot of intensity. It goes without saying that the In-Season Tournament is very important. I always try to have fun outside, so I’m really really excited to coach it. However, since it’s the In-Season Tournament, it has a little extra oomph. I’m sure it will be a fun experience.
But during the regular season, the In-Season Tournament offers a playoff-style atmosphere that will feature some intense basketball. When Ham participated in the tournament for the first time, that is what caught his attention.
It’s not your typical, everyday game. Because of the matchup, it is obvious that this will be a high-level game even without the added elements of the In-Season Tournament. There is more pressure because there is more on the line with the addition of the In-Season Tournament. Thus, at this stage of the season, playing that way is the closest thing you can get to the playoffs.
The Lakers’ players have expressed their desire to take home the $500,000 cash prize, and they believe that winning the tournament’s first season will inspire the team to perform well this year.
The Lakers are ready to contend for the NBA Cup now that everyone is healthy save for Gabe Vincent. To try to contain Devin Booker and Kevin Durant, who are visiting town, Los Angeles will need to use all of their resources.
