The analysis from Lebron James contained neither a ringing endorsement nor a call for change.
With the Lakers securing a much-needed 106-103 win over the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday, LeBron James reflected on how coach Darvin Ham has managed the team’s various ups and downs. That included a recent four-game losing streak, ongoing criticism about his rotations, and a recent report that some players harbored the same frustrations.
“Just staying and trying to keep us prepared when it’s time to go out and for battle,” Lebron James said of Ham.
That matter-of-fact commentary pales in comparison to when James entertained a question on what he thought of the Clippers since acquiring James Harden just over two months ago.
“You say it’s the James-Harden Clippers? No, it’s the T-Lue Clippers,” James said to a reporter. “I know T-Lue very well. Don’t take T-Lue long to make sure it gets right. It took him five games. They’ve been cooking since.”
As for the Los Angeles Lakers? They’ve mostly been getting cooked.
Lebron James stats (2023-24): 25.2 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 7.4 APG, 1.5 SPG, 40% 3PT
No doubt, the Lakers (18-19) escaped with a win over the Clippers amid various developments. Clippers guard Norman Powell missed a 3-pointer that James feared would go in to force overtime. The Clippers inexplicably sat Kawhi Leonard in crunchtime as part of a pre-planned minutes restriction. James (25 points) and Anthony Davis (22 points, 10 rebounds) exerted their usual dominance.
After facing season-long inconsistency with his shot, Taurean Prince scored 13 points on 4-for-8 shooting. After missing the past three games with a tailbone contusion, Russell added 13 points with some timely shots that made up for his 5-for-14 clip as a reserve.
“It takes the others to win championships and win basketball games,” Davis said. “These guys played phenomenal tonight. When these guys are playing well, it just makes me and ‘Bron’s job a lot easier.”
But with the Los Angeles Lakers failing to do that consistently, Ham has faced scrutiny on several fronts.
He has used 10 different starting lineups both amid overlapping injuries and inconsistent play. He has featured Austin Reaves and Russell in both starting and bench roles after leaning on their play during last season’s run to the Western Conference Finals.
He has overseen an inconsistent defense despite featuring a player who could compete for this season’s Defensive Player of the Year award (Davis). He has overseen a sluggish offense despite having James, Davis, and two proven playmakers (Russell, and Reaves). Has that left Ham feeling like he’s coaching to keep his job in only his second season with the Lakers?
“Nah, I don’t. I feel like I’m coaching a hell of a franchise,” Ham said. “That comes with the territory when you’re a coach in this business. I’ve seen a lot of coaches come and go, good ones and some that have had some bad circumstances around them. But in no way shape or form do I feel that way.”
Los Angeles Lakers record (2023-24): 18-19
Ham feels that way because he reported that Los Angeles Lakers governor Jeanie Buss and Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka have stressed their support. The Lakers’ front office has not offered any signals that they feel otherwise. After all, the Lakers have 45 regular-season games left to secure a better spot than 10th place in the Western Conference, which would only assure the final spot for the Play-In Tournament.
The Lakers also can make either drastic or marginal moves leading into the Feb. 8 trade deadline. That’s exactly what happened last season following the team’s 2-10 start during Ham’s first season as the Lakers’ head coach.
“If anyone learned anything from last year, this thing goes in stages,” Ham said. “We’re the Lakers, and I embrace it. I don’t run from it. I lean into it. I just want us to be great. It takes time to be great in the moment. This has been a great franchise – the best in the league. The work we put in has to lead toward something.
“Sometimes there will be a few bumps in the road. But the totality of everything that we’re doing in the short term and getting to the big picture is a process. You’re going to have some valleys and you’re going to have some peaks. But our thing is to get stronger as the season goes on.”
A reporter then wondered how Ham would know if he was trying to navigate a figurative valley or a cliff.
“I guess the velocity in which I hit the ground,” Ham said, laughing. “We’ll be okay.”
Ham maintained his charisma and sense of humor for reasons beyond knowing the front office had expressed their support. He has grown up experiencing hardships in Saginaw, MI, which included a childhood friend getting murdered at age 16. Ham said he was among the people who carried his casket out of the church and to the grave site. Since then, Ham has leaned on his parents, wife, and children to maintain his resiliency, gratitude, and levity.
“I keep my focus like that because I know things have been way worse,” Ham said. “It’s unfortunate we’re on this slide. But we’ll work our way out of it. And best believe we’ll be on the forefront of trying to get this solved.”
The Lakers will soon find out whether that actually happens, starting with Tuesday’s game against the Toronto Raptors. At this point, it appears that Ham intends to coach a team that has mixed feelings for him because of their roles and performance as opposed to a dissatisfied owner or general manager.
It seems telling that Russell declined to speak to the media in his first game back after experiencing inconsistency with his role and play. Meanwhile, Prince has shared that “I feel more valued here probably than I have ever in my career” after having a consistent role despite his inconsistent shooting.
Though he has also had an inconsistent role, Christian Wood has enjoyed a breakout season where he has showcased improvement as a defender. Wood praised Ham for ignoring the outside criticism and shared “Me and him still stay in communication every other day.”
“People think about Xs and Os. But it isn’t just about Xs and Os in the NBA with being a coach,” Lue said. “Being a coach, there’s a lot to do with handling different personalities and different egos. There’s a lot that goes into it. The biggest thing for me and for D Ham is just keep doing what you believe in. What he did last year was huge.”
Related: Los Angeles Lakers’ Darvin Ham’s job security isn’t in jeopardy just yet
It might seem daunting for the Los Angeles Lakers to replicate last season’s success. If nothing else, though, Ham at least still has the opportunity. He might be coaching some players who aren’t enamored with their roles or his coaching chops. For now, however, the Lakers’ front office has more patience.
After preaching to his players about having a next-play mentality, Ham pledges to do the same thing with his coaching.
“We can’t be too comfortable,” Ham said. “We still got a lot of work to do. This is a huge, huge win against an elite ball club. It shows us what we can do once everyone bands together once they focus in.”
Mark Medina is an NBA insider for Sportskeeda. Follow him on X, Instagram, Facebook, and Threads.