The Los Angeles Lakers have kicked off their offseason following Monday night’s loss to the Denver Nuggets in Game 5, marked by yet another Jamal Murray buzzer-beater.
The Lakers managed to escape a sweep, but their first-round elimination falls short of the team’s expectations. Head coach Darvin Ham is reportedly under intense scrutiny, with The Athletic describing his job as “in peril” and ESPN sources suggesting it’s “in jeopardy.” Concerns about Ham’s leadership in the locker room emerged during the season, exacerbated by incidents like D’Angelo Russell’s absence from a team huddle in Game 3 and LeBron James’s apparent frustration directed at the coach during Game 4 of the playoff series.
Some Lakers fans have also expressed their thoughts on the issue. “Fire Darvin Ham” chants erupted during the fourth quarter of Game 3 in LA’s Crypto.com Arena and in Game 4, Ham was booed during the video intro.
The Lakers experienced a season filled with ups and downs. Despite an encouraging start with a victory in the league’s first-ever In-Season Tournament, their journey featured both remarkable triumphs and disappointing defeats. As the regular season concluded, they found themselves back in the play-in tournament in a highly competitive Western Conference, needing to battle once more for a place in the official playoff rounds.
They accomplished that, but they would face the defending champions, a team they could not find a way to beat until Game 4. Before that, they were winless against Denver in their previous 12 matchups.
Moments after being eliminated from the playoffs, Ham was supported by Nuggets head coach, Michael Malone.
“I think Darvin Ham is a hell of a coach. That’s not an easy job. I think Darvin does it with class. And I think he and his staff deserve credit for that,” Malone said. “He’s a good man, good coach, and I wish him all the best. Hopefully, he’ll be around there for a long time because he deserves to be.”
Another question looming for the franchise is LeBron James’ future. There is speculation he played his final game in a Lakers uniform, while others have reported the Lakers are willing to draft Bronny James to fulfill the superstar’s wish to play in the league with his son.
