The Lakers faced defeat at the hands of OKC Thunder tonight. Falling to them 110-133, the circumstances couldn’t be more dire. LeBron James looked like he was thoroughly exhausted at certain points. It was almost like we could see his age coming through in the game.

Despite deciding to play fewer minutes when the season started, we have seen James on the floor for over 30 minutes on average. And when Coach Ham was asked about the same post-game, his answer was quite the diplomatic one.

Ham carefully maneuvers the LeBron James question post-game

The health adversities the team is facing have been a recurring concern of every Lakers enthusiast. Tonight’s matchup against a young Thunder only served to maximize the same. When asked about these very circumstances by a reporter, Darvim Ham said, “Most of the circumstances are beyond your control.“

Explaining further, Ham almost takes on a Shakespearean note. He says that even though one might take into consideration all the things that could go wrong, life has a way of throwing “curveballs” in your path. Even if you are ready for it, there may come “unforeseen circumstances”.

The Lakers coach brought the attention to the “deep roster” they have tried to put together as an example. But injuries like Hachimura’s hairline fracture, or injuries that Reddish sustained, are all reasons for the pace at which LA is going now. It is easy to stick to a plan when you have all the pieces on the chessboard intact.

But can the same be said of the purple and gold?

“It’d be nice to say …”: Lakers’ coach on sticking to a plan

While Ham deserves applause for carefully maneuvering the health adversity question, we cannot completely dismiss the facts he mentioned. The Lakers had started this season with an injury-riddled roster. Jarred Vanderbilt is yet to make an appearance.

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Despite the deep roster the coaching staff had put together, there is only so much they can do when a player has to be sidelined due to an injury. Hachimura and Vincent’s absence has hit them pretty hard. Not to mention the performances expected of Reaves and Davis are on a hot and cold basis.

Coming to LeBron James, it is hard to believe the man is 38 years old and still fit as a fiddle. But the number of injuries over the years and other health issues will make an appearance time and again. It’s Father Time’s way of doing things. Tonight’s performance was just another example of the same.

So while Coach Ham can draw up extensive and complicated strategies, ultimately, it’s not in his hands. The players can think on their feet and make smart moves. Coaches can change or rotate players by watching how the game progresses.

But as the 50-year-old coach says, the “game” and the “players available” to them dictate how the play will turn out. Whether LeBron will play under 30 minutes or more. If a player who is not in the rotation will have to take the floor (remember Kerr and Moody?).

Hopefully, the Lakers can figure out a fail proof plan on the go and get LeBron his fifth ring before any life-altering decisions are made.

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