Just a few months ago, many people didn’t expect the Los Angeles Lakers to make the playoffs.
On Friday night, they took down the second-best team in the West and moved on to the Western Conference Semifinals.
Following the game, head coach Darvin Ham said that his team was ready for what’s ahead and that everyone should be prepared for a long postseason.
“This thing is just getting started,” he said, adding that his team has “surpassed level one and now we’ve gotta start shifting our focus.”
“We have to be the better versions of ourselves,” Ham said according to NBA writer Mark Medina.
Lakers’ Darvin Ham: “This thing is just getting started.” pic.twitter.com/T43cp04NZS
— Mark Medina (@MarkG_Medina) April 29, 2023
Ham obviously believes that his team has the ability to progress very far, noting that their defense is what they can really hang their hats on.
He is also aware that the playoffs will only get tougher in the second round and beyond.
“It’s about us just as much as it’s about our opponent,” Ham said.
It’s not clear who they will be facing in the semifinals.
The series between the Golden State Warriors and Sacramento Kings is currently tied 3-3.
By the end of this weekend, a winner will be declared and they will battle against the Lakers starting next week.
This gives LA a few days off, which is very valuable for players like LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
Both the Warriors and Kings will pose a significant threat to the Lakers – they will likely put up more of a fight than the Grizzlies did.
But it sounds like Ham is well aware of that.
It also sounds like he’s prepared.
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Fans React To Lakers Eliminating Grizzlies From Playoffs
