The Los Angeles Lakers find themselves in a precarious situation as discontent appears to be brewing between head coach Darvin Ham and the players. After suffering their ninth loss in 12 games, concerns about the team’s direction have escalated both within and outside the organization.
From @TheAthletic: The Lakers have lost nine of their last 12 games. Sources have described a deepening disconnect between Darvin Ham and the Lakers locker room, raising questions about the head coach’s standing. https://t.co/6FA5ez7v7O
— The New York Times (@nytimes) January 4, 2024
Sources with direct knowledge of the situation reveal a growing disconnect between Darvin Ham and the Lakers’ locker room. The sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, suggest that recent extreme rotation and starting lineup adjustments by Ham have led to a lack of cohesion among several players on the roster.
The Lakers’ recent 110-96 loss to the Miami Heat marked a new low, dropping their record to 17-18 and placing them below .500 for the first time since November 11. Ham’s frequent changes to the starting lineup, including the recent decision to bench D’Angelo Russell, have puzzled both internal and external observers.
The Lakers, who championed continuity during the summer by retaining their top-five scorers from the Western Conference finals run, are struggling to establish consistency this season. Despite having key players healthy, including LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Austin Reaves, and D’Angelo Russell, the team has faced difficulties finding its rhythm.
The discontent within the locker room is evident, with players expressing frustration and emphasizing the need to compete better. While Ham continues to attribute the team’s struggles to injuries and lineup changes, players like Davis and Reaves reject using these factors as excuses.
The Lakers held a team meeting after the loss to the Heat, reflecting the urgency and concern within the organization. Ham, in his second year as head coach, faces the challenge of navigating through adversity and restoring confidence in a team that is running out of patience, particularly around the seasoned veterans LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
As the pressure mounts, the Lakers must find a way to address the internal issues and rediscover the winning formula that propelled them to the Western Conference finals last season.
Darvin Ham Is On The Hotseat
The recent struggles of the Los Angeles Lakers under head coach Darvin Ham have put him squarely on the hot seat. After winning the in-season tournament, the Lakers have seen a sharp decline in performance, losing nine out of their last 12 games. For a team with championship aspirations, this downturn is a cause for concern.
Criticism has been mounting against Ham for his lineup choices, rotations, and the management of minutes for star players LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Many argue that Ham’s focus on defensive lineups is compromising offensive efficiency, evident in the team’s shooting struggles. Some question his decision to deploy non-shooters on the floor while holding certain stars to higher standards and reducing their playing time.
The spotlight is firmly on Ham, and fans have been vocal about their dissatisfaction, calling for his removal. The Lakers, an organization not afraid to make bold moves, have a history of changing head coaches when results are not up to par. With expectations high and the team’s performance falling short, Ham’s position is becoming increasingly precarious.
If improvements are not seen quickly, there’s a legitimate possibility that Ham could be relieved of his coaching duties before the All-Star break. The Lakers, led by LeBron James, are known for their proactive approach to addressing challenges, and making a coaching change could be on the horizon if the team’s fortunes do not take a positive turn in the near future.
Ham faces a critical juncture in his coaching tenure, needing to find solutions to the team’s issues to secure his position within the organization.
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