Los Angeles Lakers head coach Darvin Ham had a message for everyone who is criticizing him and the team as his job security is in question with every loss. After losing 127-113 to the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday, Ham told reporters that “it’s ludicrous” how people react “with every single game we play.”
The Lakers have dropped four consecutive games and 10 of their last 13 since defeating the Indiana Pacers to win the NBA In-Season Tournament title. They are below .500 (17-19) for the first time since Nov. 8. It’s a rare comment for a head coach to make, but Ham is not concerned about his situation. He said before Friday’s game that he still has the backing of Lakers governor Jeanie Buss and general manager Rob Pelinka.
The Athletic’s Sam Amick reported earlier on Friday that one high-ranking Lakers official “dismissed the idea that Ham is close to being fired.” Even if Ham’s firing is not near, there is clearly some speculation that there is something wrong with the Lakers head coach and players. According to The Athletic’s Shams Charania and Jovan Buha, six different sources with direct knowledge of the situation said there is “a growing disconnect” between Ham and the locker room.
“Those sources have explained that the inconsistency between the coach and team has resulted from the drastic rotation and starting lineup changes recently from Ham,” Charania and Buha wrote, “leading to a varying rhythm for several players across the roster.” Ham can look at his recent history as a reason to be hopeful.
His first season started in a terrible way with a 2-10 record through 12 games and they didn’t get above the .500 mark until the 77th game (39-38). The Lakers used that wave of momentum to reach the Western Conference Finals before being swept by the Denver Nuggets.
It would be easier to believe in this team if they showed some signs of improvement. They haven’t won two games in a row since four straight from Dec. 2 through 9.
Next for the Lakers is a home game against the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday at 9:30 p.m. ET.