After Handing LeBron James and 30YO Teammate the “Leadership” Role, Lakers’ Coach Makes Bold NBA Championship Claim

The NBA season is set to begin on 24 October 2023. As the league prepares to kick off, a web of unresolved storylines adds intrigue to the upcoming games. While many teams are still sorting out their strategies, the Los Angeles Lakers have wasted no time making their moves. Last season, LeBron James and the Lakers embarked on a scorching journey to the playoffs. Initially hovering in the realm of the play-in tournament, their future seemed uncertain. However, they swiftly dispelled doubts by showcasing a remarkable blend of excellence and composure. They triumphed over the Memphis Grizzlies and even managed to dethrone the reigning champions, the Golden State Warriors.

While their path eventually ended at the hands of the Denver Nuggets in the conference finals; the surprising surge in the team’s caliber was a spectacle. With the restoration of prominent figures and the addition of new pieces, they seem capable of making a run at the chip this year. Their coach, Darvin Ham, thinks the same. 

Ham thinks the roster around LeBron James can win a championship

In the recent season, the Lakers found themselves tantalizingly close, with just four victories separating them from a return to the NBA Finals. Despite boasting immense talent on their roster, they got stuck in a rut against the Nuggets. Now, with a slightly changed squad, their head coach feels the team is ready to embark on a championship journey. During an ESPN interview, Darvin Ham confidently asserted the same. He believes the current group possesses an impeccable blend of leadership and talent. 

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While being at the BWB (Basketball Without Borders) camp in South Africa, he said, “Absolutely [We’re close to a championship team]. We have leadership like LeBron James and Anthony Davis; some of the talent we were able to bring back in Rui Hachimura, Austin Reaves, and D’Angelo Russell.” 

He then recognized the new additions and the squad as a whole. He continued, “Then, you think about the guys we added in Gabe Vincent, Taurean Prince, Cam Reddish, Jaxson Hayes. I think the sky is the limit for what we will be able to do. I think we added a lot of depth, a lot of guys that have skill, size, and athleticism, so I look forward to all of that coming together.”

Since their bubble championship in 2020, the journey for the LA Lakers has been a struggle. They prioritized star power over roster depth, which didn’t yield desired results for them. After multiple years of rebuilding around their stars, Ham believes the team now has adequate supporting roles. Additionally, the Lakers now realize the importance of role players in winning a championship more than ever.

Can the Lakers win a championship?

Approaching his second season at the helm of the Lakers, Ham is gearing up for another round of coaching challenges. Taking the reins last year, he inherited a team reeling from one of its most disappointing seasons in franchise history. So far, his coaching prowess has displayed remarkable sights. 

As the 2023-24 season beckons, the Lakers have the advantage of beginning with established team chemistry. While new additions settle into their respective roles, the pivotal factor will be their collective health. The preceding 2021-22 campaign promised championship glory for the Lakers. Yet, the dream was shattered by significant injuries and chemistry hiccups, culminating in the team’s failure to secure a playoff spot.

Turning to the roster, the Lakers have stacked their squad with ample length and sharpshooting talents. On paper, they appear to possess the requisite skill to orchestrate success. However, the path to a championship title is far from a walk in the park. As the season unfolds, the Lakers must remain open to potential strategy, approach, and roster alterations. Since, in the grand scheme, every decision holds the potential to become the decisive factor in the NBA journey.

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