'I give it an A+,' Darvin Ham evaluates the Lakers after the loss to Denver

The Los Angeles Lakers weren't able to close in the best way possible what it was a great day for the purple and gold after the emotional unveiling of Kobe Bryant's first statue, in a game that was studded with celebrities and different LA legends.

The team was shorthanded from the get-go, as the point guard D'Angelo Russell who has been key in the latest wins of the team missed the game, joining Jarred Vanderbilt, Gabe Vincent, and Cam Reddish. To make things worse, Max Christie got hurt before the halftime.

Before the game started, coach Darvin Ham was asked about what he was looking forward to in the game against the NBA reigning champions the Denver Nuggets, to what he responded to be a good test to evaluate where the team is at this point of the season.

Following the loss to the Nuggets, Lauren Jones of The Sporting Tribune asked how he would evaluate where the Lakers are. Ham's response was: “From the basic tenants of being competitive, giving multiple efforts, having a next play mentality, guys playing for one another, I give it an A+.”

Anthony Davis spoke on the Lakers not making any trade at the NBA's deadline

Anthony Davis on the Lakers not making any trades: "This is our team. This is our team that we're gonna have. Once we get guys healthy hopefully we can get back into a groove." Key players like D'Angelo Russell and Jarred Vanderbilt were out vs. the Nuggets, Max Christie left the contest early due to an injury, and perimeter defenders Gabe Vincent and Cam Reddish haven't fully recovered.