
USA Today via Reuters
May 12, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (6) looks on from the bench in the second half of game six of the 2023 NBA playoffs against the Golden State Warriors at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

USA Today via Reuters
May 12, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (6) looks on from the bench in the second half of game six of the 2023 NBA playoffs against the Golden State Warriors at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
The Los Angeles Lakers have taken center stage ever since they hosted Game 6 against the Warriors. A plethora of stars and celebrities lined up in the stands to watch the crucial playoffs action. While the star-studded crowd cheered on, LeBron James and the Lakers ousted the defending champions. Hours from now, the Lakers will face the Denver Nuggets in the Conference Finals. Amid the postseason frenzy, a vital member of the Lakers camp has recently garnered attention for a totally different reason.
While the Lakers are awaiting the Conference Finals, their head coach Darvin Ham made a candid admission recently. The 49-year-old’s admission revolved around a bizarre experience he encountered as a teenager.
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Lakers Coach Darvin Ham recollects a bizarre teenage incident
Darvin Ham recently had a free-wheeling conversation with Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson, in the latest episode of All the Smoke podcast. The Lakers head coach and the two hosts spent some time weighing in on the Lakers’ prospects in the coming days and the coach’s expectations on LeBron James and Anthony Davis.

USA Today via Reuters
Oct 20, 2022; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers coach Darvin Ham (left) and forward LeBron James (6) react in the fourth quarter against the LA Clippers at Crypto.com Arena. The Clippers defeated the Lakers 103-97. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Meanwhile, Ham brought up his teenage days into the conversation. Explaining what growing up on Saginaw was like for him, the veteran coach touched upon a tragic incident that occurred to him when he was just 14.
“Coming up during that crack era in the 80s, I saw that. Yeah like born in 73. growing up with a strong community and seeing that community turn into a wonderful neighborhood. Um and then just take the neighbors off and now it’s just hood. Got Shot 14 years old April 5th 1988,” Ham said.
“When you go through an experience like that bro, it really stays with you,” he added.
Darvin Ham further explained the details of the tragic incident.
As the 49-year-old recollected, the incident happened on the 20th Anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination. That particular day, Ham and his older brother went out to buy things. While getting back home, Ham heard the sound of shots and looked towards the shooting. A bullet ricocheted and hit the then 14-year-old on the side of his neck.
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Darvin Ham reveals yet another tragic story
Shortly after explaining how he got shot, Darvin Him went on to narrate another tragic incident he had to face as a teenager. After Ham recovered from the gunshot, a close one of him got shot the next summer. Ham had lost his god brother after the latter got shot eight times. Ham painfully recollected that he had to be one of the pallbearers for his Godbrother. Ham, however, learnt how to value life after going through such tragic incidents.
WATCH THIS STORY: Charles Barkley, Michael Jordan, LeBron James – NBA Stars Who Were Inspired by High School Coaches
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What do you think about Darvin Ham’s recent revelations? Are you cheering for him and the Lakers in the upcoming game?
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