Problems Between Darvin Ham and Lakers Locker Room is Getting Bad

Lakers in Crisis: Darvin Ham's Coaching Sparks Locker Room Discord

After the Lakers' recent defeat, concerns mount about Coach Darvin Ham's relationship with the team. Six insider sources reveal a growing disconnect, questioning Ham's standing. According to anonymous sources speaking to The Athletic, the coach's extreme rotation and lineup changes are causing disruption among players.





On-Court Struggles: Lakers Drop Below .500 After Ninth Loss

The Lakers' woes continue as they suffer their ninth loss in 12 games, falling to 17-18. The recent defeat against the Miami Heat leaves them just .001 percentage points above the Golden State Warriors for the 10th spot in the Western Conference. The team's struggles since winning the In-Season Tournament in Las Vegas on Dec. 9 have raised concerns about their direction.



Lineup Turmoil: Ham's Constant Changes Fuel Lakers' Inconsistency

Coach Ham's persistent lineup changes have become a cause for concern. The Lakers, despite having key players healthy, face difficulties establishing continuity. The decision to bench D'Angelo Russell and experiment with unconventional lineups has left both insiders and fans puzzled.


Post-Game Turbulence: Lakers' Locker Room Opens Up

Following the recent loss, the Lakers' locker room opened before Coach Ham addressed the media, an unusual occurrence. Anthony Davis expressed his disappointment, emphasizing the need for the team to execute better. Coach Ham later attributed their struggles to injuries, stressing the importance of getting fully healthy for consistency.

"It's a bit of everything right now. If we keep on this trend, it's not going to be good for us." - Anthony Davis

Struggling for Solutions: Ham Explores Lineup Changes

In an attempt to turn around the team's performance, Coach Ham introduced his 10th starting lineup of the season. However, the Lakers continued to face challenges in determining their best lineups and finding on-court synergy. Ham acknowledges the difficulty in establishing rhythm with frequent lineup changes.



Discrepancies Emerge in Player Perspectives

Discrepancies emerge between Coach Ham's explanations and player perspectives. While Ham cites injuries and lineup changes for inconsistency, players like Davis and Reaves emphasize the need for improvement regardless of the lineup. The locker room atmosphere is described as "sh—y," reflecting the team's frustration with their recent performance.


Team Meeting and the Path Forward

Postgame, Coach Ham confirmed a team meeting took place to address the issues. The atmosphere in the locker room is described as off, but players clarify it's not about disliking each other; rather, it's a response to their recent losses. As the Lakers navigate challenges, patience wears thin, especially with veterans like LeBron James and Anthony Davis.


The Athletic