NBA insider Baxter Holmes, reporting for ESPN, reveals that Los Angeles Lakers head coach Darvin Ham enjoys strong backing from the team’s front office despite facing scrutiny this season.
Despite facing criticism, Ham’s position with the Lakers remains secure, as confirmed by sources within the organization.
Earlier in January, NBA insiders Shams Charania and Jovan Buha from The Athletic shed light on a growing divide between Ham and the Lakers’ locker room. However, following the widespread circulation of this report, Lakers owner Jeanie Buss reached out to Ham, affirming his job security.
The Lakers, boasting star players LeBron James and Anthony Davis, have posted a record of 30-26 this season, currently ranking ninth in the Western Conference standings. However, the team ranks 13th in the NBA for points scored per game and 18th for points allowed per game.
Ham’s decision to field a starting lineup comprising LeBron, Cam Reddish, Taurean Prince, Jarred Vanderbilt, and Davis against the Oklahoma City Thunder on December 23 raised eyebrows within the Lakers organization due to its lackluster performance. The lineup has since been adjusted, with D’Angelo Russell, Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, LeBron, and Davis taking the starting roles.
Amid discussions of potential trades at the deadline, Ham advocated for retaining veteran player Taurean Prince, citing their strong relationship dating back to their time with the Atlanta Hawks from 2016 to 2018.
Responding to fan demands, Darvin Ham made the decision to bench Prince on February 3 against the New York Knicks. The revised lineup featuring Russell, Reaves, Hachimura, LeBron, and Davis secured a victory against the Knicks at Madison Square Garden, with a final score of 113-105.
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