Lakers Announce Dismissal of Head Coach Darvin Ham
The Los Angeles Lakers have announced today the dismissal of head coach Darvin Ham, marking the beginning of their search for what may be the final head coach in LeBron James’s illustrious NBA career.
Ham’s Coaching Record and Dismissal
Ham, aged 50, served as the Lakers’ head coach for two seasons, accumulating a record of 90 wins and 74 losses with a winning percentage of 54.9%. Despite leading the team to the Western Conference Finals last year, they were swept by the Denver Nuggets. This year, they were eliminated in the first round after five games against the Nuggets. In the wake of this exit, the Lakers swiftly made the decision to part ways with him.
Acknowledgement of Ham’s Contributions
Rob Pelinka, Lakers’ vice president of basketball operations, expressed gratitude for Ham’s efforts and acknowledged his achievements over the past two seasons. Pelinka stated, “We want to thank Darvin Ham for his dedication. While this decision was difficult, it was the best course of action after a comprehensive evaluation of the season. The organization remains committed to delivering championship-level basketball for Lakers fans worldwide.”
Reasons Behind the Dismissal
Following the Lakers’ elimination from the playoffs, reports surfaced indicating that Ham might be held accountable for the team’s shortcomings. According to reports from The Athletic’s journalists Shams Charania, Jovan Buha, and Sam Amick, concerns were raised about Ham’s perceived lack of in-game adjustments, particularly highlighted by instances like the comeback win against the Los Angeles Clippers in late February, where players took matters into their own hands. It was suggested that the team believed this roster was not meant to exit in the first round, and accountability was placed on Ham.
Speculation Surrounding Next Head Coach
With Ham’s dismissal, rumors about the next head coach have begun to circulate. Names such as former Atlanta Hawks and Milwaukee Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer, Golden State Warriors assistant coach Kenny Atkinson, Los Angeles Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue, and former NBA player JJ Redick, who co-hosts a podcast with LeBron James, have been mentioned. (Betso88)