The Los Angeles Lakers have fired head coach Darvin Ham after just two seasons with the team. The decision came after the Lakers were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by the Denver Nuggets. Ham took over for Frank Vogel after the 2021-22 season and led the Lakers to the Western Conference Finals in his first year, though they were swept by the Nuggets. Despite a strong start to the season, the team struggled and finished with a 47-35 record, making it into the playoffs but ultimately falling short.
The Lakers got off to a promising start in the season, going 7-0 and winning an in-season tournament in Las Vegas. LeBron James was named MVP of the tournament after averaging 26.4 points and shooting nearly 57% from the field. However, their success was short-lived as they lost 12 of their next 17 games and fell down the Western Conference standings. The team managed to secure a spot in the playoffs through the play-in tournament, but were defeated by the Nuggets in the first round.
Despite the disappointing finish to the season, LeBron James had a strong individual performance, averaging 25.7 points, 8.3 assists, and 7.3 rebounds per game. James played in 71 games, his highest output since the 2017-18 season with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Following the team’s season-ending loss, James did not confirm whether he would return to the Lakers next season, leaving his future with the organization uncertain.
Darvin Ham finished his tenure as head coach of the Lakers with a record of 90-74. He struggled against the Nuggets in the playoffs, posting a 1-8 record against them. The Lakers will now begin their search for a new head coach, marking James’ fourth coach during his seven seasons with the team. Previous coach Frank Vogel was the longest-tenured coach working with James, lasting three seasons before being fired.
The Lakers’ decision to part ways with Ham comes after a disappointing season that saw the team fall short of expectations. Despite their early playoff exit, the team remains determined to bounce back and make a strong push in the upcoming season. As they look for a new head coach to lead the team, the focus remains on building a competitive roster around LeBron James and making a deep playoff run in the future.
