LOS ANGELES Lakers Coach Darvin Ham Remains Aligned with Leadership Amid Skid
As the Los Angeles Lakers continue to struggle, Coach Darvin Ham assures that he remains aligned with Governor Jeanie Buss and Vice President of Basketball Operations and General Manager Rob Pelinka. Despite the team’s recent dip below .500 for the first time since November 11, Ham expresses confidence in his relationship with the Lakers’ leadership.
Ham addressed the situation ahead of the Lakers’ Friday night matchup against the Memphis Grizzlies, stating, “It comes with the territory. I’m solid… As long as (Buss and Pelinka aren’t) saying it, I guess I’m good. Which I know how they feel about me and the situation we’re currently in. So, we’re all on the same page. My two captains, I communicate with them. Our communication has been at a high level.”
However, a recent report from The Athletic suggests a growing disconnect between Ham and the locker room. Sources claim that the coach’s frequent rotation and starting lineup adjustments have disrupted the team’s rhythm, leading to concerns among players.
The Lakers have struggled since winning the In-Season Tournament in Las Vegas on December 9, going 3-9 since then. With three consecutive losses, including a 110-96 defeat against the Miami Heat on Wednesday night, internal concerns are mounting.
Despite the criticism, Ham remains unfazed and focused on his job. He states, “I don’t mind people critiquing the job I’m doing… All I’m going to do is keep my head down and continue to do my job until I can’t do it anymore… So, that’s what it is, that’s what I signed up for when I decided to become a coach.”
Ham acknowledges that he has faced challenges in his life and sees this situation as manageable. He adds, “I’ve been through a ton of ‘ish’ in my life and this is a walk in the park. Trust me.”
In an effort to improve, Ham has been reflecting on his coaching approach. He shares, “You try to just look internally to see what I could be doing better… For me, it’s the film and really being efficient with that, being efficient with when we’re able to step on the floor and really pinpointing the things that we need to work on, just being sharper.”
As the Lakers continue to navigate their struggles, it remains to be seen how the team will respond and if Ham can find a way to turn things around.