Darvin Ham responds to critical comments from Anthony Davis
Nov 30, 2022; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers coach Darvin Ham at a press conference during the game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Los Angeles Lakers coach Darvin Ham downplayed any issues stemming from a quote from Anthony Davis that appeared critical of the team.
After the Lakers blew a 20-point lead in Game 2 of their Western Conference first-round series against the Denver Nuggets, Davis told reporters that the Lakers seemingly go through “stretches when we don’t know what we’re doing.” Some took this as an indictment of Ham and his coaching staff.
On Wednesday, Ham said he did not see the comments that way, and suggested Davis was speaking from a place of frustration. He also disagreed with the notion in the first place.
Darvin Ham said he took Anthony Davis’ comments after G2 that the Lakers “have stretches when we don’t know what we’re doing” as “frustration”, and he’ll “agree to disagree” with AD.
Ham said the Lakers coaching staff prides itself on being organized. pic.twitter.com/WtEzhYiW4I
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“I think sometimes the plays don’t turn out the way you think they should. The frustration sets in a little bit,” Ham said. “I don’t think it’s, for us, not being organized. I have incredibly talented coaches all along my staff. … We pride ourselves on being highly efficient and organized. I’d just chalk that up to being frustrated. It’s an emotional game, the way it ended, so I’ll agree to disagree on that one.”
Davis probably was frustrated, but since there have been reports that the locker room has not necessarily agreed with Ham’s decision-making this year, it makes for an interesting talking point. There is nothing to suggest that it is a serious issue right now, and indeed, Ham appears likely to be back next year. It will be interesting to see if anything else is said if the Lakers cannot turn the series around after falling down 2-0, though.
