Los Angeles Lakers coach Darvin Ham. Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Darvin Ham sends stern warning to stuttering Lakers

By Adam Taylor | Last updated 1/20/24

Darvin Ham is taking a hardline approach with the Los Angeles Lakers. The Purple and Gold sit 10th in the Western Conference at 21-22. Ham's position has come under scrutiny in recent months, with some expecting him to be out of a job by the end of the season.

However, following the Lakers' 112-130 loss to the Brooklyn Nets, Ham took a tough-love approach with his team.

"We can’t feel sorry for ourselves and make excuses," Ham said. "We saw the same people that put together that first half, the same ones that allowed that second half, and we just have to decide which team we gonna be...It’s over for the excuses. We got to play basketball.”

Darvin Ham: “It’s over for the excuses, man. We got to play basketball.” pic.twitter.com/CTf2J2Jh7d
— Spectrum SportsNet (@SpectrumSN) January 20, 2024

The Lakers are supposed to be a championship-contending team. They made the Western Conference Finals last season and then strengthened their depth during the summer. Yet, they've been unable to find any consistency in their play. Ham's consistent lineup changes have played a role in the Lakers' malaise. Nevertheless, there is too much talent on the roster for the team to be sitting 10th in the West.

Ham's team sits 14th in defensive rating and 22nd in offensive rating. A team with LeBron James and Anthony Davis should not be one of the worst offensive units in the league, especially when Austin Reaves and D'Angelo Russell are also part of that rotation.

Ham's decision to take a sterner approach is necessary. He needs to get his team to respond to his system and play with desire.

If LeBron and Co. are going to contend this season, now is the time to turn things around. A trade might help solve the issue in the short term. However, this is the second straight season Rob Pelinka has had to search for upgrades on the trade market. Instead, the team needs to start playing for their coach, or the front office needs to replace him.

It's a matter of motivation, not talent. Unfortunately for the front office, a deep postseason run will continue to paper over some of the cracks that are clearly forming with the current version of the Lakers. Something needs to change.

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