Darvin Ham Breaks Silence: Holding Lakers Players Responsible Amidst Personal Critique

The Los Angeles Lakers have a lot of thinking to do this offseason. There’s questions surrounding the coaching staff, the future of contracted players, and free agency.

Something needs to change in L.A., but it’s unknown where that change will come from. Many point to a head coaching change. Darvin Ham received major backlash throughout the postseason for his mismanaged games and schemes against the Denver Nuggets.

Ham spoke with the media following the Lakers season finale. He gave insight to the criticism he’s dealt with, turning some of that heat to the players on Los Angeles’ roster.

“It’s amazing how people just skip that core part of having a consistency with your lineup is all predicated on health and performance. If you’re coaching a team and one of your starters is like 10 games in a row, just s—ting the bed, what are you going to do?,” said Ham, via Lakers Nation.

D'Angelo Russell

Darvin Ham, D’Angelo Russell (Los Angeles Lakers) 

Ham believes he shouldn’t be taking all of the heat, given the pressure of his position.

He had to deal with streaky performances from guys like D’Angelo Russell and Austin Reaves, as well as injuries to key role players like Rui Hachimura and Jared Vanderbilt.