This is huge for a player like Westbrook. He has some weird mental tendencies, high levels of paranoia, interesting defensive mechanisms, us against the world mentality and an extreme loyal streak. For a coach to believe in him and value him is big for that kind of personality. It’s why coaches like Scott Brooks and Billy Donovan had strong relationships with him. I don’t think Vogel was anyway bad at this, he just didn’t have a relationship with him in this way.
Vogel was probably in shock trying to deal with the roster he was given last year, losing Nunn before it even started, injuries to AD and LeBron and off and on the other players, plus the terrible fit that was Russ last year in the starting lineup, plus how poorly he was playing both sides of the ball.
How about that out of bounds play to get Ryan the 3 to tie it. Frank’s out of bounds final shot playbook looked like this
Liked that Russ wasn't in the closing lineup But man we got lucky. We needed a 3pt shot and left Ryan out with Pat and AD there doing what? Very bad call Then in the 2nd opportunity he takes out Lonnie for Ryan, super weird Apart from that, very pleased to get a must needed win
trusted two white dudes to take us to OT Can't decide if that is genius or intended to put them on the streets
I also thought the play prior to the Ryan 3 (Lonnie Walker wide open for a 3 point attempt) was well designed as well. There wasn’t a single Pelican player within 8 feet of him, it just didn’t go in.
I think he’s figured out how to work with what he has. Most importantly he has guys dialed in and believing in themselves. Particularly Lonnie and Russ.
feel like the last domino to fall is demoting bev for reaves. it's already happening a bit, but it will take a deft touch from the coach to pull it off entirely. i legitimately wonder if ham isn't just waiting out the inevitable patbev injury/schroder return to make a smooth transition to a roster/lineup wherein bevs is a bit player/defender off the bench.
Really surprised with Ham, he's getting us playing top 2 defense out there. And his handling of Russ has been top notch
As well he has settled pretty quickly into not that many players getting many minutes in his rotations, and has no qualms with the DNPs or ding ding ding .... sitting Russ late in the game if he thinks someone else fits better for what he needs at the time, even when Russ had been playing again pretty well, especially in the first half and working hard on D. With the way LeBron started inexplicably (with the way he was shooting and feeling by the 2nd half) with his Hero ball Fail .... I found myself thinking Russ would have been maybe better in his place with how well he had been distributing the ball and attacking the rim.
Yeah I can see this. I think Reaves as a starter is inevitable. He’s building trust with the guys and that will help too.
I think Coach is prepared to improve this team from within and is willing/able to adapt his plans to fit his personnel. Kudos to coach. I'm ok rolling with who we have. Not sure I want to get rid of Russ at this point. He's all in. Even bought a house across the street from leBone
Yeah if we could move other players such as Bev, Nunn, Jones and 2nd rounders for just one more semi high impact player of need, as long as Russ is bought into the 6th man utilization Ham wants from him and NOT cause problems if Darvin manages his minutes as how HE sees best for the Team each game …. it’s a far cry now from Russ being an addition by subtraction situation. We haven’t come close to any consistent gel it’s so early but Russ is looking like he can be a legitimate force out there again for good in that role, even on defense. Unless a really good deal can also be made with him later for say Turner and Hield that doesn’t cost a FRP or one of our favored young players.
