Darvin Ham provides the Lakers with everything they were looking for in their coaching search, writes Jovan Buha of The Athletic. Instead of going with a flashier name, L.A. opted for a respected assistant in Ham, who will be the team’s sixth head coach in the past 11 years.
The Lakers wanted someone who had worked for the team, as Ham did as an assistant coach from 2011-13, who had won a title and who had experience coaching star players. Ham checked those boxes, along with being a former player, having a strong personality and working under respected coaches such as Gregg Popovich and Mike Budenholzer.
Former coach Frank Vogel reportedly encountered resistance in the locker room this season, but an unidentified league executive told Vincent Goodwill of Yahoo Sports that shouldn’t be a problem for Ham.
“If you look around the league now, the coaches who are having successes — Steve Kerr, Monty Williams, Willie Green — [not only have] excellent knowledge but an ability to connect and hold [players] accountable,” the executive said. “(Ham) has a personable blend of that. A strong individual. He can garner respect from his players. I like it.”
There’s more on the Lakers:
- The organization’s poor treatment of Vogel may have discouraged a few coaches under contract who might otherwise have been interested in the job, such as Nick Nurse, Quin Snyder and Doc Rivers, Buha suggests in the same piece. Buha points out that L.A. gave Vogel a low offer when he was hired, only added one year to his contract after he won a title in 2020 and leaked a report of his firing immediately after the final game of the season.
- With the team reportedly unwilling to part with a first-round pick to find a taker for Russell Westbrook, one of Ham’s first challenges will be figuring out how to manage the enigmatic guard, observes Kevin Pelton of ESPN (Insider link). Westbrook is most effective when surrounded by shooters, so Pelton believes Anthony Davis will see more time at center next season. Pelton also expects Ham to try to change the way Westbrook is used, employing him as a screener more often than a spot-up shooter.
- Pelton believes another priority will be a load management plan for LeBron James, who will turn 38 next season. James missed 26 games this year, but averaged 37.2 minutes when he did play, his highest figure since the 2016/17 season.
Lol. You can’t polish the Lakers turd.
BIG IF, if the Lakers move Westbrook, a desperate team may be out there, that’s a good start to the off season. He brings a locker room down, listen to his press conferences, that would be addition by subtraction. BRING IN SHOOTING, SHOOTING, SHOOTING, and D. DON’T BRING IN KYRIE. Good health helps….
Lakers look great so far according to media
Lakers are going to be championship favorite this summer
Kent Bazemore did not want additional $5 million from Warriors and joined the Lakers for less money to win championships last summer
Last summer Nets and Lakers are top 2. Title Favorite
Exactly who in the media is saying the Lakers “look great so far”?
If they can’t find a taker for Westbrook, there’s little that coach Ham can do.
This is my equation
Ham + Westbrook = Doc Rivers + Harden
What bull. James does not want fewer minutes; it does not matter if Westy does better surrounded by shooters since that will not improve him; the poor treatment of Vogel discouraged nobody— it’s just not a great job, that is why the lack of enthusiasm for it; I’m dubious Ham is much like Kerr, Williams & Green.
Let’s gather the articles about Laker arrogance.
People can change. As Celtic Fan I don’t ever want the Lakers to be good. I hope Westbrook looks in the mirror and realizes who the problem is. The Lakers drafted some good young talent and traded it for one championship. I see another failure next year then a rebuild.
Westbrook plays an uptempo gm as PG. That’s who he is. Lakers offense is not built that way. He should play the 2 with Dunn starting. Then take over PG when Dunn sits. The coach and his team offense has to help him that way. You get the most from him. Why did you trade for him. If you are not going to use him right. If the team facilitates his game. Then he will also try and fit in more when not running point. It is what it is. No one is trading for him.
Hopeful Darvin Ham will be able to reason with him Westbrook. D Wade had to learn how to play with Out the ball in his hands. The problem is the NBA changed, and Westbrook is the dinosaur who couldn’t adapt. One dimensional push the pace, drive to the basket. Coach Ham has to remind him he has 2 other teammates who are top 75 players. If they are forced to keep him, his minutes have to be staggered with Westbrook leading the 2nd team, limiting him and Lebron playing together. Coach Ham has to tell him he may not be closing games, will be based on situation and match ups. If he can’t deal with that either trade, release, or sit him until a trade can be worked out at deadline. G League players will be better than a disgruntled Westbrook. Coach Ham is a no nonsense coach and will be handled one way or the other… WINDOW WITH LEBRON & AD is 3 years, of course with good health.. no wasting time…. HAVE A GOOD HOLIDAY WEEKEND! ENJOY GAME 7!…