The Los Angeles Lakers have terminated head coach Darvin Ham after two seasons at the helm of the team.
There was great unrest in Laker-land this past season. The fanbase agitation emanates from the Lakers trudging through the regular season with uninspiring play and listless defensive effort, resulting in a mediocre record, 47-35, for the second consecutive season. They were relegated to the NBA play-in tournament in 2024 and then were vanquished in the first round of the playoffs by the defending champions Denver Nuggets, 4-1.
The angst was exacerbated by the fact that the Lakers went 1-11 against their archrival Nuggets in the past 12 games.
Lakers general manager Robert Pelinka spewed perfunctory bromides about Ham as he headed out the door.
“We greatly appreciate Darvin’s efforts on behalf of the Lakers and recognize the many accomplishments achieved over the past two seasons including last year’s remarkable run to the Western Conference Finals.”
Lakers Part Ways With Head Coach Darvin Ham pic.twitter.com/or3Bx2mZ5w
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) May 3, 2024
“We all want to thank Darvin for his dedication and positivity. While this was a difficult decision to make, it is the best course of action following a full review of the season. This organization will remain unwavering in its commitment to deliver championship-caliber basketball to Lakers fans around the world.”
Overall, Ham finished 90-74 in the two seasons, including 11-12 in the playoffs, which is far from acceptable to the Lakers’ front office and rabid fanbase.
According to CBS Sports, Mike Budenholzer, Kenny Atkinson, J.J. Redick, and current Clippers coach Ty Lue are the leading candidates to replace Ham.
