Amid a report of a “deepening disconnect” between Darvin Ham and Lakers players due to Ham’s erratic lineups, which have partially been a result of injuries, the team’s head coach says he’s “solid” in his job security and is “aligned” with owner Jeanie Buss and vice president of basketball operations and general manager Rob Pelinka, according to Khobi Price of The Southern California News Group and Dave McMenamin of ESPN.
“It comes with the territory,” Ham said of the criticisms. “I’m solid. My governor, Jeanie Buss, the boss lady; our president, Robert Pelinka – we’re all aligned. As long as they’re not saying it, I guess I’m good.
“Which I know how they feel about me and the situation we’re currently in. So, we’re all on the same page. My two captains (LeBron James and Anthony Davis), I communicate with them. Our communication has been at a high level.”
Ham didn’t directly mention the report from The Athletic, but he criticized the general use of anonymous sources, like the ones cited in the story.
“The one thing that’s crazy is that it reminds me of when I used to watch ‘60 Minutes’ with my father in the ’80s,” Ham said. “And one particular show they were talking about La Cosa Nostra and the mafia and these guys were starting to go to trial and their star witness shows up with a black potato sack over his head and shades. And due to fear, the name can’t really be released.
“This seems to be the standard of reporting now for [the] NBA. People on the internet and whatever. And not all reporters – I don’t want to disrespect anybody in the room – but when you say the source is anonymous by choice and they don’t want to put their name on something but they want to give you the information and then you take the information and now everybody gets a chance to dissect it and spread it all out in their own way, it’s kind of disingenuous. And I wish we would get to a place where people are firm enough to stand on what they’re saying and then maybe we can have real dialogue and get to it.”
Ham said he welcomed critiques of his performance and brushed off the speculation.
“I don’t mind people critiquing the job I’m doing,” he said. “All I’m going to do is keep my head down and continue to do my job until I can’t do it anymore. Just be solid with what you’re putting out there and please don’t intertwine it with personal attacks either.
“That’s what it is, that’s what I signed up for when I decided to become a coach and I’ve been around some great guys who have handled it well and some coaches that haven’t handled it so well. But me? I’m solid. I’ve been through a ton of ‘ish’ in my life and this is a walk in the park. Trust me.”
Badasz response #goHAM
Who gets fired first Ham or Kerr?
His name is a combination of Darwinism and boiled, preserved or baked meat?
Put down the joint flave. Ya know after you toke up a little and suddenly a random thought pops into your head that in your intoxicated state seems amazingly witty and funny as well? Then after you come down a little bit you look at what you just posted and think to yourself, “man, that was stupid”. That just happened to you flave.
Steve Kerr named his son Nick. Explain that one.
Jimmy Fitzsimmins your so edgy! Wowowow
0% chance Kerr gets fired
Ham…
both of them are not gonna get fired lol. Since they are missing key players and they have the 2 best players in their respective teams. They are still in a good position to make it to the 6th spot. They will only get fired if LeBron or Curry are fed up with their coaching antics
Kerr. Ham has the seal of approval from LeBaby.
Great response.
He Said things straight, clear; Yet respectfully and didn’t victimize. He’s right.
To the journalists, basically, can say whatever they want, but put your face. Assume the consequences, whatever they aré, as coaches AND players AND FO assume theirs, for what they do on the court, or making decisions
Dude this is how all sports reporting is. Its not in the writers interest to share sources that arent talking on the record when they need inside info for articles. It should just be taken with a grain of salt because just because one person on the team feels a certain way doesnt mean the lead decision makers also do. This is why you get contradictory reporting from team sources because not everyone on a team agrees and some people want to get their opinion out in the media environment to push an agenda.
That’s the problem. Front office is a mess
I think Ham might be a little defensive here…
We can wish for things to be different, but as long as money is on the line this is how reporting will be handled…
It’s either that or we get zero rumours and the media doesn’t get it’s clicks and paychecks…
Anonymous sources are always lying, otherwise they would give their name.
It’s usually better if the FO/owner says this. Although even then it’s time sensitive.
Pretty obvious that the original grenade was tossed out there by LBJ through his agents. I hope the FO/owner publicly toss it back. Jeanie is likely too weak an owner to do or permit such a thing. Silence is probably the best she can muster.
BronGM has spoken …. I hope his teammates are renting ????