Darwin Ham's handling of Russell Westbrook in transition to bench role hailed by Shannon Sharpe: "Darvin Ham has done everything not to strip Russ of his dignity"

Russell Westbrook’s role off the bench has made him look like his former MVP self in certain stretches. He has played a big part in the LA Lakers posting back-to-back wins after losing their first five games.

In the Lakers’ 120-117 overtime win against the New Orleans Pelicans, however, Westbrook was sidelined in the game’s last 3:15 and the entire overtime period. Shannon Sharpe, on “The Undisputed” show, saw no reason for why what happened would not be an issue moving forward:

“He’s [coach Darvin Ham] doing everything he can to not strip Russ of his dignity because Russ has been a great player in this league. He is a former MVP, he is a former All-NBA, a top-75 player.

“'I think I can find a role for him but in order for you to fulfill this role and be in the ballgame late like you wanna be, I can’t base it on what you’ve been. I gotta base it on what you’re doing currently.' I don’t believe Russell will have a problem with that.”

Russell Westbrook finished the game against New Orleans with 13 points, seven rebounds and nine assists, but he also had six turnovers. Darvin Ham benched Westbrook in the crucial minutes of the game because he had a horrible second half.

The nine-time All-Star had only two points, two assists, one rebound and three turnovers after half-time before he was pulled out for good. In a closely-fought contest, Ham didn’t want to risk losing yet another game partly because of Westbrook’s erratic playmaking and unreliable shooting.

Shannon Sharpe added:

“I think Russ understands in order for him to close ball games he’s going to have to play well and deserve those minutes and deserve that opportunity to be in that final rotation. I think Darvin Ham has relayed that message to him.”

Since moving to the bench three games ago, basketball fans have seen a drastic improvement in Russell Westbrook’s play. As a starter, he averaged 10.3 points, 6.7 rebounds and 4.3 assists while shooting 28.9% from the field.

As the leader of the bench mob, "Mr. Triple-Double" has looked more like his old self. He has been averaging 16.3 points, 7.7 rebounds and 6.7 assists while hitting 46.2% of his field-goal attempts over the last three games. It’s not a coincidence that his numbers have improved while playing as the main facilitator.

If Russ can somehow keep his play from deteriorating when he’s with the usual starters, the LA Lakers could be on to something.

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Darvin Ham wants Russell Westbrook to win the Sixth Man of the Year award

A Sixth Man of the Year award could be the prize for Russell Westbrook's sacrifice.

The last time Russell Westbrook didn’t start a game was in his rookie year in 2008. Three games into his new bench role with the LA Lakers, Darvin Ham already has an eye on another award for Westbrook.

After the postgame interview following the Lakers’ win over the New Orleans Pelicans, here's what Ham had to say about Westbrook:

“One of my goals selfishly is to get him in the Sixth Man of the Year conversation. ... And why not start now?

“We were dragging in the mud early in the game and he came in and gave us a huge, huge boost. So, his fingerprints were definitely all over this game in a positive, productive manner.”

Last season, then Lakers coach Frank Vogel benched Russell Westbrook in a few close games, which didn't sit well with the feisty point guard. If this is a trend that can happen when he plays with the starters, there’s no telling how the former MVP would react.

However, for now, the move to bring Westbrook off the bench is working and Russ himself seems to be enjoying the role.