“Darvin Ham already crumbled at the feet of Russ, he already folded his tent”- Skip Bayless believes Russell Westbrook starting against Golden State Warriors proved Darvin Ham backed down

Russell Westbrook's selection to start the season opener against the Golden State Warriors was not much of a surprise given his resume. Skip Bayless believes Russ only started because head coach Darvin Ham backed down.

Westbrook's position has been in question since the offseason, especially with Patrick Beverley's acquisition. Ham has always stated that everyone would have to fight for a starting spot given the number of guards they have.

However, they opened their campaign with three guards in the starting lineup, which many believe was done to accommodate Westbrook. Bayless strongly believes Ham caved and reinstated Russ in the starting lineup.

On his show "Undisputed," Bayless said:

"The back story of how Russell Westbrook just went from demoted back into the starting lineup is not getting nearly enough attention.

"As soon as Russ tried to come off the bench, played five minutes, missed two 3's, had 2 turnovers, and walked off the tunnel with a slight limp, I immediately tweeted questioning whether he actually had a pulled hamstring.

After referencing Sharpe's comments, he continued:

"The new sheriff in town, Darvin Ham, for whom I have high regard, now we gotta see how he does as a head coach. But he's already crumbled at the feet of Russell Westbrook. He already folded his tent."

The Lakers experimented with bringing Russ off the bench. In the Lakers' last preseason game against the Sacramento Kings, Westbrook was not in the starting lineup.

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Russell Westbrook said he developed an injury because he did not start the game

Russell Westbrook of the LA Lakers

Westbrook has often said he is willing to do anything to help the team win, but was not particularly happy that he came off the bench. He said that was the reason for his injury in the game.

The LA Lakers guard limped off in the first quarter shortly after checking in. Thankfully, it was not a serious injury.

Russ said he sustained that knock because he was not in the starting lineup. He highlighted that the change in his routine, which he has practiced since joining the league, was the reason for the hamstring.

When asked post-game if the change in routine might have been a factor in the injury, he said:

"Absolutely. I've been doing the same thing for 14 years straight. Honestly, I didn't even know what to do pre-game. Being honest I was trying to figure out how to stay warm and loose. ... That's something I just wasn't accustomed to."

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Darvin Ham praised Westbrook for agreeing to come off the bench in their last preseason game

Head coach Darvin Ham of the Los Angeles Lakers

For a player of Westbrook's caliber to agree to come off the bench is praise-worthy, and Ham acknowledged that. Before tipoff, he revealed his conversation with Westbrook and spoke highly of how the veteran responded.

"He's been a pro, man. Russ is one of the most beautiful human beings I've ever come across in this business on and off the floor. He totally understood. Totally looked me in my eyes and said, 'Hey coach, whatever you need me to do.'"

Russell Westbrook ended up playing only five minutes after coming off the bench as he limped off with an injury. He, however, returned to the starting lineup to kick off the 2022-23 campaign.