Darvin Ham has preached defense all season long, but in the closing seconds of Lakers vs. Warriors Game 1, he practiced it.
With Jordan Poole wide open on the left wing of the court near the Lakers’ bench, Ham made sure that someone was going to get a hand up on a shot that could have tied the game at 115 with 9.1 seconds left:
Look at Ham pic.twitter.com/VeCyPDbw2V
— Russillo (@ryenarussillo) May 3, 2023
Jarred Vanderbilt — who was maybe the defensive player of the game, if it wasn’t Anthony Davis — made the rotation and ultimately got a hand up, but the game ball may still have to go to Ham for making sure he executes the principles he emphasizes.