Former NBA Champion, Who Once Claimed LeBron James Wouldn’t Be as Successful in His Era, Set to Join Lakers Coaching Staff

The Los Angeles Lakers had an important couple of months in front of them when their season ended in April. And it looks like they have started the off-season strongly. After hiring Darvin Ham as the new head coach of the team, the rest of the coaching staff is slowly falling into place. Notably, this ex-NBA champion is the latest name to join the Lakers’ coaching staff.

According to reports, four-time NBA All-Star Rasheed Wallace, who was part of the 2004 NBA Champion Detroit Pistons team, has agreed on a deal to be an assistant coach for the Lakers under new head coach Darvin Ham. Not to mention, Wallace and Ham were teammates on that Detroit team. Another fun fact is that they defeated the Los Angeles Lakers in the Finals that year.

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Detroit defeated the Lakers in five games in the NBA Finals. And that would be the last time Kobe and Shaq would play together as Shaq would leave for Miami in the offseason.

Rasheed’s previous comments on LeBron

Even during his playing days, Rasheed was known for his outspoken nature. Once, in an interview, he talked about LeBron and his playing style. He said, “He probably would’ve done good with his physical stature, with him being bigger than the majority of the rest of the players,” Wallace explained. “So he probably would’ve held his own, but I don’t think he would be as successful as he is now. It’s a whole different era back then. I couldn’t necessarily say that he would’ve been a beast, but I think he would’ve held his own.”

Head coach Ham will need to make sure that this is a fresh start for the team, including the players and the coaching staff.

New coaching staff, new identity?

During their title-winning season in 2019-20, the Los Angeles Lakers had one of the best defenses in the league. Centers Dwight Howard and JaVale McGee manned the paint along with Anthony Davis while players like Alex Caruso, Kyle Kuzma, and KCP provided the perimeter defense. Anthony Davis even finished in the top three for the Defensive Player of the Year awards voting that season. But it all changed when the Lakers pivoted in the 2021 offseason.

The Lakers traded for Russell Westbrook in 2021. Because of that trade, they had to give away players like Kuzma and KCP in the trade, which compromised their defensive identity. And because of less financial flexibility, they couldn’t sign Caruso.

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This led to the Lakers’ defense being a shell of itself from its previous defensive prowess. That Detroit team of 2004 was known for its defense. Having two players from it should improve from last year’s defense. Still, there is work to be done for the Lakers management. What are your predictions for the Lakers’ offseason?