“NBA Viewership Plummets as Superstars Bow Out; Clippers and Youthful Contenders Take Center Stage”
In a 4-1 sweep, the Lakers fell to the Nuggets, with opportunities slipping away in Games 3 and 5, where they held leads for the majority of the series. However, amidst the self-inflicted chaos by Coach Hamm, the Lakers found themselves ousted. How desperate was LeBron James? Despite his visible frustration, Coach Hamm remained reluctant to provide James with a challenge.
As the Lakers faced elimination, with three minutes left in the crucial match, Coach Hamm exhausted all timeouts, leaving them in a precarious position. When Murray sank a three-pointer with three seconds remaining, they failed to call a timeout, hastily attempting a shot from the backcourt, ultimately missing the chance for a tie or game-winning shot.
The blame falls squarely on Coach Hamm for the Lakers’ exit, prompting calls from media and fans for his dismissal. Post-game, both LeBron James and Anthony Davis refused to acknowledge Coach Hamm directly, indicating a strong possibility of his departure. Following Hamm’s potential exit, who might take the reins of the Lakers? NBA insider Shams speculates on several candidates.
The first contender for Lakers’ head coach is assistant coach Handy. With a $5 million annual salary and two years remaining on his contract, Handy’s promotion wouldn’t require significant financial investment. Moreover, his long tenure with the Lakers has fostered strong relationships with players, notably LeBron James, increasing his chances for promotion.
Next is “Uncle Ho”, Dwight Howard, renowned for his coaching stint at the University of Michigan, yielding promising results in NCAA. Earlier reports suggested Howard’s impending assistant coaching role with the Nets, though without a finalized contract, a chance to lead the Lakers might entice him away. It’s not just any coaching position, but the head coach role for the Lakers.
Lastly, there’s Mike Brown. A close friend and mentor to LeBron James since his early NBA days, Brown played a pivotal role in James’ development during their time with the Cavaliers. His intimate knowledge and utilization of James may pave the way for an underdog rise to the head coaching position, having earned James’ trust in the past.