As he restores his reputation with more than respectable performances, Los Angeles Lakers guard D’Angelo Russell is using the same media that scapegoated him to vilify a former teammate in veteran Dennis Schroder.
Decrying the relationship Schroder had with Lakers head coach Darvin Ham, Russell believes it lended itself to the role that he played during the 2023 NBA Playoffs. A role more akin to the one Derek Fisher had with L.A. than the aggressive scoring role that he prefers.
Darvin Ham Reacts to D’Angelo Russell’s Dennis Schroder Take
In any relationship, and in all walks of life, it takes time to build rapport. Or, as Ham says, to build a relationship. Nonetheless, he believes that his relationship with Russell is “in a great place” (per The Athletic’s Jovan Buha).
“We have great conversations,” Ham explains. “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.’”
“It doesn’t hit the ground running [smooth] all the time… Trying to figure things out on the fly.”
”And yeah, [Schroder] is someone I love and care about,” he admits, responding directly to Russell’s insinuations. “[Schroder] is a [heck of a] player. But just trying to learn [Russell] on the fly and figure things out.”
History Leads to Chemistry
Ham and Schroder’s relationship goes back to at least 2013.
At time, Ham was entering his third season as an assistant coach. However, it was his first with the Atlanta Hawks. Schroder had just been selected 17th overall in the 2013 NBA Draft by the Hawks.
They would remain with Atlanta for five more seasons before going their separate ways. Ham headed to the Midwest to join the Milwaukee Bucks as an assistant coach. Schroder was traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder for Carmelo Anthony and a first-round pick.
In that half a decade stretch, the two had plenty of opportunity to establish the type of bond that Russell coveted. Schroder had played 386 games and went on four playoff runs with the Hawks. He’s played 452 games and went on five playoff runs with Ham coaching him in any capacity. For comparison, Russell has played 95 games and had one playoff run under Ham; a fifth of the experience’s that he had with Schroder.
It’s Just the Way the Cookie Crumbled
His familiarity with Schroder not withstanding, Russell’s role with the Lakers last postseason was less a byproduct of that than the result of having multiple on-ball playmakers.
LeBron James and Austin Reaves were both excelling with the ball in their hands, limiting him to a tertiary playmaker. However, as the most reliable 3-point threat, Russell could make an impact felt in more of an off-ball role. At least theoretically.
Yet, Russell was noticeably uncomfortable playing passively. Not getting the shot attempts he was accustomed to, his performances were routinely subpar.
Inefficient in limited shot attempts, his numbers looked as poor as anyone’s on the team. In fact, he shot 31.0 percent from 3, a playoff career-low. His numbers on catch-and-shoot 3s (33.3 percent) were a bit better but not much.
Schroder, who playing a role not dissimilar to Russell’s, struggled as well. However, he made 33.3 percent of his 3s in the postseason. 25.2 percent of his shot attempts in the 2023 NBA Playoffs were ‘wide open’ 3s, of which he made 38.5 percent.
Staying Focused
Ham and Russell agree on at least one thing and that’s the idea their relationship is in a better place because they’ve improved their communication.
“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.”
“… It’s two grown men [who] both caring about winning,” Ham says. “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.”
In regard to the 2024 NBA Playoffs, the Lakers are still on the outside looking in. Just ninth in the West, Anthony Davis’ belief that L.A. can beat any team in a seven-game series may prove irrelevant if they have to play in the single elimination play-in tournament.
In any case, the Lakers need as little off court drama as possible. It’s a positive sign that Russell continues to ingratiate himself with the team. Especially after hearing his name in the trade winds. Nonetheless, it’s imperative that he stays focused on the task at hand.
