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The Los Angeles Lakers were barely a playoff team last season, as they finished as the seventh seed in the Western Conference.
To ensure the same result doesn’t happen again, the Lakers went all in on adding depth to the roster over the past summer.
A notable addition to the team was former Dallas Mavericks center Christian Wood, who signed a free-agent minimum deal worth $5.74 million over two years.
Wood ended his one-year stint with the Mavericks on a bad note, but Lakers head coach Darvin Ham recently defended the 28-year-old via Lakers Daily on Twitter.
“I know what he’s going to do for me and he’s done everything that I expected him to do up to this point since camp has been going on,” Ham said.
Darvin Ham on Christian Wood:
“People say sh*t. ‘He’s lazy. He doesn’t play any defense.’ I know the kid. I know what he’s going to do for me and he’s done everything that I expected him to do up to this point since camp has been going on.” pic.twitter.com/I7E9CHYoIn
— Lakers Daily (@LakersDailyCom) October 13, 2023
Over the past season, Wood was heavily criticized for being lazy on the defensive end of the floor.
However, Ham criticized this narrative about Wood’s alleged laziness by claiming that he’s done everything asked of him so far.
Wood averaged 16.6 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game for the Mavericks last season.
Considering the Lakers already have a superstar in Anthony Davis, who is expected to play as the primary center for the team, Wood can focus on the basics and get his confidence back.
Moreover, there is a chance that the Lakers may use Christian Wood as their starting center and play Anthony Davis at the power forward position.
Either way, Wood’s presence on the team will be beneficial for the Lakers in the long run.
Can Wood finally put an end to his criticism over the course of the upcoming season?
Well, with the new season starting soon, fans will find out sooner rather than later.
The post Darvin Ham Defends New Lakers Player Against Criticism appeared first on The Cold Wire.