The stability of Darvin Ham’s position as the head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers is reportedly under scrutiny due to the team’s recent performances as the team continues to face a dwindling NBA playoff outlook.
According to Shams Charania and Jovan Buha of The Athletic, informed by six sources, there seems to be a “deepening disconnect” between Ham and the players. This tension is attributed to what is perceived as Ham’s unpredictable changes in the team’s rotation and starting lineup, disrupting the players’ ability to establish a consistent rhythm.
Currently, the Lakers are placed 10th in the Western Conference with a 17-18 record amidst a streak of losing three consecutive games and eight out of the last 10.
A particular decision by Ham that has raised eyebrows among the players was his choice to bench guard D’Angelo Russell starting from their December 23 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder. Despite LeBron James scoring 40 points in that game, the absence of a secondary ball-handler to assist James was seen as a puzzling strategy.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Darvin Ham, LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Los Angeles Lakers Updates
In his first year as the Lakers coach following a four-year stint as an assistant with the Milwaukee Bucks, Ham has seen consistent performances from LeBron James and Anthony Davis. However, the team has struggled to find regular contributions from other players, including Austin Reaves. This inconsistency might stem from Ham’s frequent alterations in the player lineup, involving an extensive portion of the roster.
The Lakers have eleven players who average at least 17 minutes per game. While depth in a team can be beneficial, there’s a growing belief that Ham might need to narrow down his rotation to utilize his top players effectively.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Darvin Ham, LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Los Angeles Lakers Updates
It would mean appointing their fifth head coach in the last decade if the Lakers decide to part ways with Ham after this season. However, there’s still time for the Lakers to improve their performance, starting with their next game against a struggling Memphis Grizzlies team, which has recently lost four of its last five games.
