Los Angeles, California – Los Angeles Lakers head coach Darvin Ham faced criticism throughout the season for his frequent changes to the team’s lineups and rotations. With 19 different starting lineups utilized, injuries undoubtedly played a significant role in the constant adjustments made by Ham. Despite this, some of the decisions he made came under intense scrutiny.
It wasn’t until the Lakers settled on a lineup consisting of Anthony Davis, LeBron James, Austin Reaves, D’Angelo Russell, and Rui Hachimura that a sense of stability was achieved. Prior to that, players like Taurean Prince and Cam Reddish had extended stints as starters, contributing to the lack of consistency in rotation and playing time off the bench.
Ham attributed the inconsistency in lineups to the numerous injuries that plagued the team throughout the season. The coach expressed frustration at the disregard for the injury issues faced by the team and took a subtle jab at players for their poor performance, which necessitated frequent lineup changes. Ham emphasized the importance of having a healthy and performing core to establish a consistent rotation.
Despite the challenges posed by injuries to key players like Gabe Vincent, Jarred Vanderbilt, and Cam Reddish, Ham acknowledged that several players in the most successful starting lineup had played in at least 68 games during the season, offering an opportunity for earlier stability in the team composition.
Leading a team like the Lakers entails immense pressure and scrutiny, and Ham found himself defending his decisions as the season came to an early and disappointing end. Players and coaching staff engaged in a blame game, reflecting the tension and dissatisfaction that surrounded the team’s performance.
In the midst of rumors suggesting that Darvin Ham’s tenure as Lakers head coach might be coming to an end, Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone voiced his support for Ham to continue leading the team. Malone commended Ham’s coaching approach, describing him as a good coach who handles the job with class. The Nuggets coach wished Ham success and expressed hope for his prolonged presence as Lakers’ coach, recognizing his deserving qualities.
The uncertainty surrounding Ham’s future with the Lakers adds another layer of complexity to an already turbulent season filled with challenges and disappointments. Whether or not Ham remains at the helm of the team will be a decision that could shape the Lakers’ future in the upcoming seasons.