“Bring Phil Jackson, Bring Pop…”: Empathy for Darvin Ham Grows, as Lakers’ Struggles Force Damning Decision on Jeanie Buss & Co

The Lakers are now on the brink of playoff collapse. It has been eleven games and the Lakers have yet to find an answer to contain the Denver Nuggets. With a 105-112 blow in Game 3, the Purple and Gold are now just one loss away from spending the rest of their season on the couch. And once again, it is coach Darvin Ham who is on the firing line.

The fans started “fire Darvin!” chants in the final minute of the contest after the Lakers blew a double-digit lead once again. It’s not the first time fans have directed their ire for the loss at him. Ham has been in the hot seat for most of the season, whether it’s for his questionable rotations and adjustments or his reluctance to start certain players. However, former Hawks forward Chandler Parsons believes that this scrutiny is unjustified.

In a recent episode of FanDuel’s Run It Back, Parsons stood up for Ham, stating, “Find me anybody in the world that can coach this Lakers team to victory against this Denver Nuggets team. Bring Phil Jackson, bring Pop [Gregg Popovich], there’s no coach that can coach that [Lakers] to beat that [Nuggets] team.” However, Lou Williams argues that Ham needs to work with what he’s got.

According to Williams, the reason the Lakers are in this position is simply because of their bench. The starting unit works hard to build up a lead, and by the third quarter, when the Lakers start subbing, they blow the leads. This has happened not once, not twice, but in all three games. LA led by 12 points in Game 1, 20 in Game 2, and 12 in Game 3 before losing all three.

“You have to coach what you got. They are not getting a lot of production outside of the guys that are household names. Every time they go to the bench, they drop a lead…The starting five, they do a great job, they build the leads, they play with a lot of energy, and then you start subbing. Denver has a deeper bench. Denver has a better supporting cast than Los Angeles Lakers. And I think that’s where the games get a little turbulent for the Lakers when they have to start making subs,” added the former Lakers guard.

Will Darvin Ham stay with the Lakers next season?

Even though it is not completely Darvin Ham’s fault that the team is struggling against a better Nuggets team, the Lakers will need a scapegoat if they drop another game. And that man in the crosshairs would probably be Ham, according to Shaquille O’Neal.

According to the Big Aristotle, Jeanie Buss and Co. will probably start the search for a new head coach if the Lakers lose this series to the Nuggets. “I don’t like talking about coaches. No, I don’t have any idea. However, if the Lakers lose, changes will be made. I know that for a fact. That’s just the way they operate,” Shaq said on his podcast.

However, as per Lakers’ insider Anthony Irwin, nothing, not even a first-round exit, can convince the first office to part ways with the 50-year-old coach. “In fact, in asking around the last couple weeks heading into the play-in and playoffs, most people I’ve spoken to believe Ham will be back,” said Irwin. Do you think the Lakers should stick with Darvin Ham for another season? Or would a coaching change be a better idea? Let us know in the comments!