The Los Angeles Lakers’ recent struggles have not gone unnoticed, especially by former NBA player Gilbert Arenas, who recently expressed his discontent with Coach Darvin Ham’s decision-making, particularly the choice of starting lineups.
“Nobody told you to sub the dud who averages 1.5 and put him as a starter. When are you going to take responsibility for the lineup you are putting out?”
“Now you sub in Van, which pushes you down to 68 points a game.”
“Just to show how bad it is, the worst team in the NBA, the Detroit Pistons, they’re averaging 73 points as a starting 5. Stop these dumba** lineups.”
Gilbert Arenas, during a segment on the show Nightcap, criticized Ham’s lineup choices, particularly his decision to start a player with lower averages. He emphasized that the Lakers’ starting five, under such lineups, struggled and only averaged 68 points. Arenas made a pointed comparison to the Detroit Pistons, currently the worst team in the NBA, whose starting five averages 73 points, outperforming the Lakers in this regard.
In response to the Lakers’ offensive challenges and poor three-point threats, Ham initiated a large lineup, which included LeBron James as a point guard alongside Anthony Davis, Reddish, Vanderbilt, and Taurean Prince. This move left D’Angelo Russell on the bench, raising eyebrows and prompting discussions about Ham’s coaching decisions.
Arenas called for accountability, urging Ham to take responsibility for the lineups he puts on the court. The frustration expressed by Arenas reflects a sentiment shared by Lakers fans who have witnessed their team’s recent struggles and are seeking solutions to improve their performance.
As the Lakers navigate through a challenging season, coaching decisions, especially regarding starting lineups, will continue to be scrutinized by both fans and analysts.
Darvin Ham And Austin Reaves Reportedly Have Problems
As the Los Angeles Lakers navigate through a challenging season, rumors of discord between coach Darvin Ham and player Austin Reaves have surfaced. NBA insider Anthony Irwin sheds light on a potential rift, suggesting that Ham and Reaves don’t have a harmonious relationship, hinting at deeper issues behind Reaves’ limited playing time.
Despite high expectations for Reaves to play a significant role behind LeBron James and Anthony Davis, he has seen limited minutes on the court this season. The Lakers, who had a promising start with an in-season tournament victory in December, have struggled to maintain consistency. Reaves, considered a strong contender for the Sixth Man of the Year, has displayed solid performances, averaging 14.9 points, 4.9 assists, and 4.8 rebounds per game.
However, questions arise as Reaves remains on the bench, averaging just 29.2 minutes per game. Ham’s decision to keep Reaves under 30 minutes, despite his reliability as a scorer, has raised concerns among fans. Relegated to the bench after a brief stint in the starting lineup, Reaves faces uncertainty about his long-term role on the team.
The strained relationship between Ham and Reaves adds to the mounting challenges faced by the Lakers this season. Ham, who faced criticism last season with Russell Westbrook, is now under scrutiny for his coaching decisions, including lineup choices and rotations.
With the Lakers currently standing at 17-16, Ham’s coaching decisions, performance issues, and alleged discord with players like Reaves contribute to growing calls for his job. The team’s success in the remaining games will play a crucial role in determining Ham’s fate and silencing the critics.
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