The Lakers' new defeat against Memphis will not calm things down in Los Angeles. The Californians have been in trouble for a month and their victory in Las Vegas and The Athletic recently explained that Darvin Ham's speech no longer resonates with the players.
If he is not yet on the start, the coach is clearly in the hot seat. Obviously, before the match against the Grizzlies, he wanted to respond.
“I am strong”he assures ESPN. “With Jeanie Buss, the owner, and Rob Pelinka, the president, we are on the same wavelength. As long as they don't say otherwise, then it's fine. I know what they think of me and our current situation. »
Anonymous sources and mafia
Except that the information from our colleagues mainly spoke of a break between the players and their coach, and not between the managers and the technician. For his part, Darvin Ham explains that he has a “high level” of communication with LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
Above all, he did not appreciate the form of The Athletic's article. One sentence in particular: “The people spoke on condition of anonymity so they could speak freely on the subject. »
“It reminds me of watching 60 Minutes with my dad in the 1980s,” he remembers. “During a particular program, they were talking about the Cosa nostra, the mafia. These guys were starting to be tried and their main witness showed up with a black bag over his head and sunglasses. And out of fear, the name couldn't really be released. So it seems like this is the news standard for the NBA. For people on the Internet and everything else. »
Not bothered by criticism
Our colleagues announced that “six springs” had participated in their article. The Lakers coach would have liked to have the names…
“I'm not talking about all journalists, I don't want to disrespect anyone in the room,” continues Darvin Ham. “But when we say that the source is anonymous by choice, that he does not want to give his name but that he wants to give the information, that journalists take this information and that everyone can dissect it and spread it, It's a bit misleading. I would like us to get to the point where people are firm enough to defend what they say. Maybe then we could have a real dialogue. »
As long as the victories continue to wait – four defeats in a row currently and 9 in the last 11 matches – the Lakers coach will be in danger and at the center of the target.
“I don’t mind people criticizing my work. What I'm going to do is keep doing it until I can't do it anymore.” he announces. “I signed up for this when I decided to become a coach and I knew people who managed well, and others who didn't. Me ? I am strong. I've seen others, it's a walk in the park, believe me. »
