Lakers coach Darvin Ham fires back at accusations team is flopping in Game 5 vs. Warriors
Los Angeles Lakers coach Darvin Ham on Wednesday responded sternly to accusations from Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr that the Lakers are flopping and using gamesmanship with the officials.
“We play a physical brand of basketball,’’ Ham said after the Lakers lost to the Warriors, 121-106, in Game 5 of the Western Conference semifinals. “We don't teach flopping, we don't teach head snaps. You see (LeBron James), he's got a thousand scratches on his arms, same with (Anthony Davis), same with Austin Reaves, same with Lonnie Walker.
“It's unfortunate that it comes to that, but we hadn't done it all year, and we're damn sure not going to start now, looking for a third party to dive in and help us.’’
James also addressed the issue, saying, “I just know that our coaching staff and us players, we don't work on flopping. That's not even a part of our game. Our game is to attack, attack the paint. We don't mind physical contact. We actually like the contact. We don't shy away from it.
“We're just not a team that goes out there looking for flopping opportunities. That's just not us. It's actually never been any team that I've played on in my 20 years where we've been a flopping team.’’
The dustup began Monday night after the Warriors lost to the Lakers 104-101 in Game 4. Kerr complained about his team getting called for a three or foul illegal screens in the fourth quarter and said, “the Lakers, they’re a team that plays with a lot of gamesmanship. They understand how to generate some calls. I thought they took some flops and were rewarded. But I’ll have to see the replays.’’
Wednesday night, having seen the replays, Kerr doubled down when asked about the issue.
“Yeah, there was definitely some gamesmanship,’’ he said. “And look, I give them credit. You know, if you can sell a call in this league, then do it. Whatever it takes to win.’’
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Anthony Davis' health status
Ham expressed optimism about Davis’ status after the Lakers big man left the game after getting hit in the head by an elbow from Warriors forward Kevon Looney with 7:34 left to play. Davis did not return to the game.
“Obviously everyone saw he took a shot to the head, but we just checked in on him,’’ Ham said. “He seems to be doing really good already. That's just where he's at. That's the status of it right now.”
Davis, who had 23 points and nine rebounds before exiting Game 5, he played a significant role in each of the Lakers three victories.
The series resumes to Los Angeles Friday in Los Angeles with the Lakers leading 3-2.
“Obviously AD is huge to what we do,’’ Lakers guard Austin Reaves said. “I believe he'll play.’’
Versatile Stephen Curry
Curry, widely viewed as the best long-range shooter in NBA history, continues to demonstrate his effectiveness as a passer.
On Wednesday night, he dished out eight assists and scored 27 points while leading the Warriors past the Lakers, 121-106, in Game 5 of the Western Conference semifinals.
He had 14 assists in Game 4 and 12 assists in Game 3.
“I think Steph at this point in his career, he really feels what needs to happen during a game, what’s required of him,’’ Kerr said. “And you saw it in Game 7 against Sacramento when he just knew he needed to score.’’
In that game, Curry scored 50 points on 20-of-38 shooting from the field and the Warriors beat the Kings 120-100. Against the Lakers, it’s a different set of circumstances.
“In this series, the Lakers defense is really good,’’ Kerr said. “They’re great at the rim. We’ve got to get the ball moving and move their defense around and Steph understands that.”
Lighting a fire
Draymond Green was aggressive from the outset and not coincidentally played his best game of the series with 20 points and 10 rebounds. Also no coincidence that his former college coach, Michigan State’s Tom Izzo, was in the stands.
“When he’s in the building it always lights a fire under me,’’ said Green, a four-time All-Star.
The fire spread.
Warriors swingman Andrew Wiggins had his best performance of the series with 25 points, seven rebounds and five assists.
“Wiggs was aggressive as hell tonight,’’ Green said. “And…we have to come out with that aggressiveness, and I think we did a really good job of it tonight and have to take the show on the road.‘’
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Lakers coach Darvin Ham fires back at accusations team is flopping
