After a dismal stretch in which they lost 10 of 13 games, the Los Angeles Lakers have won their last two contests to improve to 19-19. While it is way too early to say they’re turning things around, they showed some grit and resourcefulness in both wins. Both victories came by a combined four points.
Many Lakers fans still want head coach Darvin Ham to be fired, citing some of his lineup decisions, among other issues. But there has been no indication his job is actually in jeopardy.
In fact, according to one report, the organization plans to be patient with Ham (h/t Lakers Daily).
Via The Athletic:
“A quick admission at the start: I moved up this latest trip to Los Angeles by two days because of the news surrounding Lakers coach Darvin Ham and his locker room disconnect, reported on Thursday by Shams Charania and Lakers beat writer Jovan Buha,” wrote Sam Amick. “And after spending three days in town, which included three consecutive games at the building formerly known as Staples Center, I firmly believe the second-year coach isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.
“The results matter, of course, so it certainly helps that his embattled squad beat the intracity-rival Clippers and the Raptors after losing 13 of the previous 15 games. But beyond that, two high-ranking team sources say there is a plan to remain patient with Ham as he continues to grow in his first head coaching job.”
Days ago, that report about the disconnect between Ham and his players seemed to suggest that the situation was turning south for him. But there is a big difference between players being unhappy with a head coach and the front office feeling the same way.
Ham is only in his second year as an NBA head coach, so he still has lots of room for improvement. He had previously spent 11 seasons as an assistant, and his first two years as an assistant actually came with the Lakers late in Kobe Bryant’s career.