The Los Angeles Lakers have fired coach Darvin Ham after two seasons, following a first-round playoff loss to Denver. Despite leading the team to the Western Conference finals in his first year, it was not enough for the championship-oriented Lakers. With stars like Anthony Davis and LeBron James, the Lakers are focusing on resetting their coaching staff instead of changing their roster construction. Pelinka, the general manager, expressed appreciation for Ham’s efforts but stated that the decision to let him go was the best course of action after a review of the season.
During the regular season, the Lakers had a disappointing record of 47-35 but managed to win the NBA’s inaugural In-Season Tournament. They secured the seventh seed in the competitive Western Conference after beating New Orleans in a play-in game. However, they were swept by Denver in the first round of the playoffs, despite leading the series at times. Fans and observers blamed Ham for his management decisions, slow tactical adjustments, and reluctance to change rotations. A poor stretch during the holiday period, where they went 3-10, was particularly criticized for his lineups and rotations.
Despite both James and Davis being largely healthy throughout the season, the Lakers only managed a four-win improvement from the previous year. The failure to secure a top-6 seed in the West was attributed to Ham’s coaching decisions, leading to widespread frustration among fans and players. The lack of success in the playoffs, with early exits in three out of four seasons, prompted the decision to part ways with Ham. The Lakers will now be looking for their eighth head coach in 14 seasons since Phil Jackson’s departure in 2011.
Ham, who had two years left on his contract, had previously won a championship as a player with Detroit in 2004. After working as an assistant coach in Atlanta and Milwaukee, he returned to the Lakers as their head coach. With James potentially returning for another season and decisions on player options to be made, the Lakers face important offseason moves. The focus will be on determining whether to pursue a third superstar through trades or rely on role players like Russell and Hachimura to improve the team’s competitiveness. Players like Russell, who performed well during the regular season but struggled in the playoffs, will be evaluating their options as well.
Overall, the decision to part ways with Ham was based on the Lakers’ desire to achieve championship-level success and build a competitive team around their star players. With the offseason ahead and important player decisions to be made, the Lakers are aiming to make strategic moves that will elevate their performance in the upcoming seasons. The search for a new head coach will be crucial in setting the tone for the team’s future and guiding them towards their goal of winning another NBA championship.
