Lakers Head Coach Darvin Ham Responds to Skeptics…
Lakers Head Coach Darvin Ham Responds to Skeptics
Coach Darvin Ham of the Los Angeles Lakers, beleaguered, dismissed all the rumors and pleaded with his struggling players to block out the outside noise.
Regarding his message to the squad, Ham stated, “If they’re not the Lakers, then don’t pay attention to it.”
With a 17-19 record, the Lakers are no longer in the play-in race in the West after losing to the Memphis Grizzlies 127-113 on Friday, January 5. This was their fourth straight loss. Since taking home the In-Season Tournament title, they are currently 3-10.
Ham remarked, “It is what it is.” “That guy from the NBA is here! Since this is a marathon, you must consider the big picture. I’m sick and weary of people dying in every game we play—it’s ridiculous, really. It’s like, Hey, hurry up! We’ve reached a challenging point in this race. We have to get back to the same team that participated in some elite games not too long ago. But we had to continue the fight. We must not give up the struggle.
Los Angeles only engaged in combat for three-fourths of the game against Memphis. With 7:41 remaining and the game tied at 103 apiece, the Lakers let go of the rope as the Grizzlies went on an 11-2 run within the next three minutes to put the game away.
Ham denied reports that his job is in jeopardy.
“I’m solid,” Ham said, per Dave McMenamin of ESPN on January 5. “My governor, Jeanie Buss, the boss lady; our president, Robert Pelinka — we’re all aligned. As long as they’re not saying it, I guess I’m good. Which I know how they feel about me and the situation we’re currently in.”
Ham added his communication with the Lakers’ top stars James and Anthony Davis has been at a “high level.”
The 50-year-old Ham is in his second season of a four-year deal he signed with the Lakers in the 2022 offseason. He coached the Lakers to the Western Conference Finals in his first year overcoming an early-season struggle.
LeBron James led the Lakers with 32 points, seven assists, five steals and five rebounds.
After the game, he bluntly said: “We just suck right now.”
James is also tired of the In-Season Tournament title run talks as they have never played close to that level in their next 13 games.