Los Angeles Lakers head coach Darvin Ham faced criticism and questions after the team’s fourth straight loss, a disappointing defeat to the Memphis Grizzlies. The Lakers, now with a 17-19 record, have encountered a challenging stretch, losing 10 of their last 13 games since winning the In-Season Tournament.
“It is what it is, it is the NBA,” said Ham after the game. “It is a marathon. You have to look at the totality of the picture. I’m tired of the people living and dying with every single game we play. It’s ludicrous, actually.”
“Come on, man, this is a marathon, and we’ve hit a tough stretch. It’s the same team that we play some high-level games a little while ago, and we just got to get back to that. We got to keep the fight thought. We cannot lose our fight.”
Within this answer from Darvin Ham:
“I’m tired of people living and dying with every single game we play. It’s ludicrous. Actually. Like, come on, man. It's a marathon." pic.twitter.com/UwTP8Zzvq5
— Daniel Starkand (@DStarkand) January 6, 2024
Despite the team’s recent struggles, Ham downplayed the significance of individual games, emphasizing the need to view the season as a marathon rather than a sprint. He expressed frustration with the intensity of reactions from fans after each game.
While Ham’s comments may be an attempt to shield his players and the organization from excessive scrutiny, the Lakers’ current situation demands a more urgent approach. The team, which had championship aspirations just weeks ago, is now out of the top 10 in the Western Conference.
The recent loss to the Memphis Grizzlies, a team that came in with a less impressive record, further heightened concerns among fans and analysts. Memphis, typically struggling in 3-point shooting, surprised with a 51.1% success rate from downtown, contributing to the Lakers’ collapse in the fourth quarter.
With each additional loss, questions arise about Ham’s job security, and the pressure on the Lakers to turn their season around intensifies. The team’s stars, LeBron James and Anthony Davis, are delivering exceptional performances, but defensive deficiencies and inconsistent results indicate deeper issues.
As the Lakers face a critical juncture in the season, adopting a more urgent and focused mentality may be necessary to address the challenges and expectations that come with their championship-caliber roster.
Darvin Ham Thinks Every Team Gets Better When They Play The Lakers
Los Angeles Lakers coach Darvin Ham expressed frustration with a concerning trend where opponents seem to elevate their performance when playing against the Lakers. Following the recent loss to the Memphis Grizzlies, Ham pointed out that the Grizzlies, typically struggling in three-point shooting, remarkably made 23 out of 45 attempts from beyond the arc.
“Take your hat off to them, they shot the hell out of the ball… It seems to be the pattern, people are stepping their game up when they come into our building. We got to meet force with force.”
Ham acknowledged the impressive shooting by the Grizzlies but suggested that this pattern of opponents exceeding their usual performance levels when facing the Lakers has become noticeable. He emphasized the need for the Lakers to match the intensity of their opponents.
LeBron James, agreeing with Coach Ham, acknowledged the team’s struggles but also took responsibility, stating, “I mean, we just suck right now.”
The Lakers, once a defensive force during their In-Season Tournament run, are now facing challenges in stopping opponents from scoring, contributing to their disappointing stretch.
The Lakers’ defensive lapses, combined with offensive inefficiencies beyond key players like LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and Austin Reaves, have led to their recent struggles. The team, once a championship contender, is grappling with issues that extend beyond individual games, and Ham’s frustration highlights the urgency of addressing these concerns to reverse their fortunes in the competitive NBA season.
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