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Lonzo Ball got real about the Los Angeles Lakers' tepid end to the season, losing 4-1 in the first round to the Denver Nuggets. The loss led to the Lakers firing Darvin Ham, as the coach was held responsible for his tactical shortcomings. Lonzo Ball thinks Ham isn't the only person to blame, and that the players and coaches should share responsibility.
“Speaking from personal experience, I'm not able to point the finger. I think it’s the group. I've seen a lot of players mess up. I've seen AD not touch the ball in the fourth, I've seen Bron get backcut, and I've seen rebounds be missed... Y'all just lost to a better team."
Ball broke down the bits of the Lakers offense that didn't make sense to him, emphasizing how the team should have run the offense through Anthony Davis.
"Personally, it looks like some better adjustments could’ve been made… Give AD the ball. Post or mid-post, I'm running my offense through Anthony Davis. I'm just giving him the ball. No disrespect to Reaves, but I'm not going pick-and-roll with Reaves before I get him the ball in the post, personally."
Ball reiterated that Davis should have been the Lakers' primary option for the series.
"AD killed but he could have killed even more. He would be killing, get 30 by the 4th, and then he’ll have 1 shot in the 4th quarter. I don’t understand it”
Lonzo Ball thoughts on the Lakers losing and firing Darvin Ham:
— The Laker Files (@LakerFiles) May 15, 2024
“I think it’s coach and players. Personally it looks like some better adjustments could’ve been made…
[AD] would be killing, get 30 by the 4th and then he’ll have 1 shot in the 4th Quarter. I don’t understand it” pic.twitter.com/j9RtQ6JUl9
In all five games, Anthony Davis had an inexplicable second-half drop-off which many attributed to coach Ham not drawing up plays for the center. Ham's playcalling was directly called out by Davis after they lost Game 2 of the series, prompting a salty response from the head coach. This interaction foreshadowed Ham's firing, as it was clear the locker room had moved on from the coach.
In my opinion, the Lakers' decision to move on from Ham was fine because he was always a limited coach. He's good enough to maximize what he can get from a roster but fails to match up tactically in playoff series against elite coaches.
When fans at home are pointing out blatant rotational and tactical flaws, it's hard to justify being in charge.
JJ Redick Might Replace Darvin Ham
JJ Redick has been interviewing for head coaching jobs since last summer when the Toronto Raptors interviewed him before going with Darko Rajakovic. He's since interviewed for the Charlotte Hornets as well, but Redick might be getting the top job of the Lakers to coach his podcast co-host, LeBron James.
The Lakers are also looking at other candidates such as James Borrego and Stephon Cassell, but Redick's name is said to be in the lead so far. If James can't trust a mind like Redick's on the court, the rumors of him not being able to function with a coach for more than a few seasons might be entirely accurate.
Redick would be a better man-manager, provided Davis and LeBron treat him with respect. If they disagree with him and throw a fit, it'll undermine Redick's authority to the entire team. The Lakers can't afford to keep switching coaches, and Redick would need to be a long-term solution to this problem.
Almost every available option includes assistant coaches or fired head coaches, so the Lakers aren't picking from the top of the barrel. But there is value to be found if the front office can identify the perfect coach who can work in synergy with Rob Pelinka but also LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
More must-reads:
- Kings make huge decision on head coach Mike Brown
- Pistons parting ways with GM after hiring new head of ops
- The 'Most three-pointers made in the playoffs' quiz
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