After two consecutive seasons of disappointment, the Los Angeles Lakers found themselves once again falling short, this time at the hands of the Denver Nuggets. While they managed to avoid a sweep by the defending champions, being eliminated in the first round was a blow to their pride, especially after winning the mid-season championship.
As a result, Coach Darwin Ham found himself at the center of public scrutiny, with rumors of his imminent dismissal swirling around.
In the summer of 2022, following the dismissal of championship coach Frank Vogel, the Lakers went through a thorough interviewing process to find his replacement. Despite facing competition from several seasoned coaches with impressive resumes, including Stotts, Atkinson, Snyder, Mark Jackson, and Doc Rivers, Ham emerged as the chosen successor. It wasn’t solely due to his exceptional abilities but rather a proactive choice made by the management and LeBron James himself. During the interviews, Ham’s unique insights on coaching star players and handling team dynamics resonated with the Lakers’ management.
Here are four key points that distinguished Ham:
1. Critique of the lack of innovation among current NBA coaches in recent years.
2. Understanding of small-ball lineups, stemming from his time as a small forward in the Pistons’ defensive lineup.
3. Track record of developing big men, including players like Giannis Antetokounmpo, Brook Lopez, Al Horford, and Paul Millsap.
4. Known for his charisma in the locker room, bridging a balance between on-court intensity and off-court camaraderie.
Ham’s tenure began with a bold move of repositioning Russell Westbrook after the Lakers suffered three consecutive losses. Despite initial resistance, Ham’s communication with Westbrook laid the groundwork for future team decisions.
In his first season, despite facing challenges like mid-season trades and lineup adjustments, Ham led the Lakers to the Western Conference Finals. However, the defeat to the Denver Nuggets, coupled with the team’s lack of cohesion due to constant changes, left fans disappointed. Yet, the blame was unfairly directed solely at Ham, disregarding the context of his rookie coaching season and the team’s transitional phase.
The narrative shifted in Ham’s second season. Despite clinching the mid-season championship, praise primarily focused on LeBron James and the front office, overshadowing Ham’s coaching achievements. The team’s subsequent losing streaks fueled speculations of Ham losing control of the locker room, exacerbating the pressure on him.
Ultimately, despite guiding the Lakers to the playoffs for the second consecutive year, Ham faced relentless scrutiny. Criticism intensified during the first-round series against the Nuggets, reaching its peak with chants of “Fire Ham” echoing in the arena.
As the season unfolded, it became apparent that the Lakers’ struggles extended beyond coaching. Key players failed to meet expectations, further complicating the situation for Ham. Despite internal acknowledgment of the team’s limitations against the Nuggets, the Lakers’ leadership felt compelled to make a change, viewing a coaching switch as the least disruptive option to reignite their championship aspirations.
Ham’s departure marked the end of a challenging chapter for both him and the Lakers, highlighting the unforgiving nature of professional sports.