As with the Suns, there could be changes on the Lakers bench next season. According to information from The Athletic And ESPNthe future of Darvin Ham at the head of Los Angeles is very uncertain…
Propelled to lead the team in 2022, the coach helped this group reach the conference finals last year, also winning the “Play-In Tournament” this season. For the Californian leaders, these were above all two signs that this roster could fight for the title, and not just for accession to the first round.
But in Los Angeles, we obviously consider that Darvin Ham's fluctuating rotations and his unclear tactical plans, coupled with his lack of adaptation, have dragged this squad down.
This was also quite clear after Game 2 of this series against the Nuggets. While Mike Malone had modified the defensive “matchups” to place Aaron Gordon on Anthony Davis and reverse the match, the inside of the Lakers had complained about the fact that the team “didn’t know what to do on both ends of the pitch” Sometimes.
Mike Malone becomes a lawyer
An indirect tackle, but quite clear, for Darvin Ham, who had been forced to defend himself.
From now on, it is with Jeanie Buss, the owner, and Rob Pelinka, the GM, that he will have to defend himself, while he has two years of contract remaining, at five million dollars per season. He can at least count on the support of his Denver counterpart, Mike Malone, undoubtedly well aware that Darvin Ham is in an ejection seat.
“I think Darvin Ham is a great coach. It's not an easy job and Darvin does it with class.” explained the Nuggets technician after the qualification of his team. “He’s a good man, a good coach, and I wish him the best. I hope he’s here for a long time, because he deserves it.”
Not sure that that's enough to convince the Lakers, while the pressure is still very strong around the club, and LeBron James can give up on his “player option” and test the market this summer.
