Appreciate what you do for the thread btw

No problem bro

Appreciate u

nigga late as F***

Don't manifest this

have a feeling we’re getting f***ed up again tn

then a 6 game w streak

Russell knew Ham and Schroder's history went back nearly a decade to their time together with the Atlanta Hawks, where Ham was an assistant coach. Russell, meanwhile, had been around Ham for two months.

"His relationship with Darvin is the reason I couldn't have a relationship with Darvin," Russell said.

"When I was struggling, I would've been able to come to the coach and say, 'Bro, this is what we should do. Like, I can help you.' Instead, there was no dialogue. ... I just accepted it.

"And we got swept and I'm here and he's not. And I like our chances."

espn.com/nba/story/_/id/39703917/dangelo-russell-journey-lakers-trade-chip-clutch-hero-ready-studied-test

"AFTER BEING BENCHED against Denver in the playoffs, Russell wasn't thrilled about returning to the Lakers in free agency. He said as much in his offseason exit meeting with Pelinka and Ham.

"They were like, 'We're going to do whatever to try to keep you here,'" Russell said. "And I was like, 'Are y'all going to let me rock out, though?'"

The Lakers preferred a deal with no player option, sources told ESPN, but Russell's side pushed for one, allowing for the scenario where he plays well, ups his value and hits free agency again this summer.

"That was our idea," Russell said, referring to the stipulation he and his agent, Austin Brown of CAA, added to the deal.

Granting an opt-out meant that the contract would, by rule of the collective bargaining agreement, become eligible for a one-year Bird restriction that would allow him to veto any trade. Waiving that no-trade clause was the compromise; if both sides needed a change, Russell wouldn't block it.

"A film session in early January, following a 110-96 loss to the short-handed Miami Heat, led to Ham and Russell clashing. The coach wanted to see better effort and execution; the player wanted to see sharper schemes.

Ham was headstrong in his instructions, illustrating through the film where his team would "half-ass it through possessions," he said.

Russell dismissed the lack of execution, focusing rather on an alternative approach he believed would be better for the team.

"There's times we agree to agree, agree to disagree or come to an understanding," Ham said of his relationship with Russell, acknowledging his responsibility to improve their discourse after last season's finish."

Without any certainty about his future and no say in the decisions of the front office, Russell channeled his energy into something he could control: his individual performance.

He said he thought back on wisdom imparted to him by Kobe Bryant when Russell, as a rookie in 2015-16, teamed up with the Lakers legend in his 20th and final season.

"'Create new headlines,'" Russell said of the advice that Bryant passed on about navigating the narratives that can come with being a Laker. "And that stuck with me. ... Don't care about that. You can't do nothing. How did you grow from it? That's how I approach s---."

He started putting in extra time at the practice facility, meeting Lakers head video coordinator Micah Fraction at the gym during odd hours and off days.

Austin Reaves, who has become Russell's closest confidant on the team, said that being on the court in crucial moments such as the finish against Golden State has been Russell's goal ever since the conference finals disappointment against Denver.

"He just came into the season with a mindset of, 'I'm not going to be put in that situation again,'" Reaves told ESPN. "We've talked about ... 'If you go handle your business, you're plenty good enough to be on the court every single game regardless of what's going on.'"

"When I got around Draymond, I seen him in the film room, like really talking and really creating controversy. Really challenging teammates and really doing that on purpose," Russell said "And I saw how we grew. We weren't even a good team, but we grew because of that dialogue in the film room.

"Then I get here and nobody talks but Bron. I was like, 'What the f---?' And then I just started being vocal, and that became where my IQ is exposed now."

Russell recognized that sharing his opinions often comes with greater accountability on the court, a leadership role he has welcomed this season.

"I'm ready for it," Russell said. "I studied for this test."

we’re favored tn

Maxwell Lewis going over film with assistant coach Zach Peterson well over an hour after shootaround ended. He’s the last player there.

Anthony Davis on Domantas Sabonis’ 9-0 record against him in his career: “I’m all about the team … the 1-on-1 thing, it doesn’t bother me”

Kevin Huerter and Trey Lyles are both out for the Kings today.

Keegan Murray missed last night’s game, but it sounds like he’s going to play tonight.

Darvin Ham says his relationship with D’Angelo Russell is “in a great place.”

“We have great conversations,” Ham said. “Great text exchanges after games. During the game our in-game conversations. … It’s tough. That’s why the phrase is called ‘building a relationship.’”

Ham continued: “It doesn’t hit the ground running all the time smooth. Trying to figure things out on the fly. And yeah, Dennis is someone I love and care about. Dennis is a helluva player. But just trying to learn Lo on the fly and figure things out.”

Ham continued: “Then, for him, the beautiful thing about it I think that caused the difference in where we were then and where we are now is our ability to talk and be honest with one another. And our ability to really take accountability with one another.”

Ham continued: “… It’s two grown men both caring about winning. Both trying to help one another figure this thing out. And who both want to get to the level we know we can get to. … But in terms of he and I, I think we’re in a great place right now. I’m sure he would agree.”

Lakers announce LeBron and Davis are available tonight

Lakers starters

Dlo throwing ham under the bus >>>