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Photo: JJ Redick / Instagram   The Los Angeles Lakers are struggling. They’ve dropped to ninth place in the Western Conference after a crushing 109-80 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves, their worst of the season. This is JJ Redick ’s first year as an NBA head coach, and he’s already under pressure. Even with stars like LeBron James and Anthony Davis , injuries to key players like Jaxson Hayes, Christian Wood , and Jarred Vanderbilt have hurt the team. The Lakers replaced former coach Darvin Ham during the offseason, but Redick has the same 12-9 record Ham had in his first 21 games. After the embarrassing loss to the Timberwolves, critics are questioning Redick’s ability to lead the team. Photo: JJ Redick / Instagram Former NBA player Gilbert Arenas didn’t hold back, saying Redick should lose his job.   “If it were up to me, J.J. would’ve got fired last night,” Arenas said on his show, Gil’s Arena. Despite the criticism, it’s still early in the season, with 61 games left fo...

Photo: Darvin Ham (Instagram) Darvin Ham , the former head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers, spoke out for the first time since being let go this summer. After two years leading the Lakers, Ham was fired despite having a 90-74 record and making the playoffs twice. Both of those playoff runs ended in losses to the Denver Nuggets, first in the Western Conference Finals, then in the first round. Ham's overall record wasn’t bad, especially for a first-time head coach. He won more games than he lost and came close to making the NBA Finals. However, he couldn’t fully get the players to follow his lead, which led to him being fired. Some also felt he wasted two great seasons from LeBron James and a healthy Anthony Davis . Now, Ham is back with the Milwaukee Bucks as an assistant coach under Doc Rivers . In his first public comments since being fired, Ham told ESPN he has no hard feelings toward the Lakers. Photo: Darvin Ham (Instagram) “When they hired me, the team wasn’t in great shape,...

Photo: Instagram/Tyronn Lue The Los Angeles Lakers have made a coaching change, parting ways with head coach Darvin Ham after a disappointing season.  Following their run to the Western Conference Finals in 2022-23, Ham couldn't replicate that success. Now, the Lakers are on the hunt for a new leader, with Tyronn Lue of the Clippers emerging as a potential candidate. However, according to NBA Insider Adrian Wojnarowski, a reunion between Lue and Lakers superstar LeBron James doesn't seem likely. Lue still has a year left on his contract with the Clippers, who are keen on securing him for the long term. Despite his connection with James from their time in Cleveland, Lue's commitment to the Clippers appears solid. Photo: Instagram/Tyronn Lue Lue is highly regarded in the NBA coaching circles, but his current allegiance to the Clippers, backed by their determined owner Steve Ballmer, could make prying him away a tough task for the Lakers. Ballmer's dedication to buildin...

Photo: Instagram/Phil Handy The Los Angeles Lakers are shaking things up after the departure of head coach Darvin Ham . Following Ham's firing, the Lakers have swiftly parted ways with their entire coaching staff, according to reports from Dan Woike of the Los Angeles Times and ESPN's Dave McMenamin. Among those let go is assistant coach Phil Handy, who has been with the team since 2019. Handy, known for his respected coaching skills, had been considered a possible replacement for Ham. Photo: Instagram/Phil Handy However, with the Lakers eyeing potential candidates like Mike Budenholzer, Kenny Atkinson, and JJ Redick , Handy's name wasn't on the list. Despite a slight improvement in wins under Ham's leadership, the Lakers suffered an early playoff exit this season. Lakers since 2020 bubble championship: 2021: 1st round loss vs. Suns ❌ 2022: Missed playoffs ❌ 2023: Swept in WCF vs. Nuggets 🧹 2024: 1st round loss vs. Nuggets ❌ 😬 pic.twitter.com/G3jPBelM6Z — Bleacher...

Photo: Instagram/Darvin Ham The Los Angeles Lakers have bid farewell to coach Darvin Ham after his two-season stint with the team.  Despite guiding the Lakers to the Western Conference Finals in 2023, this season ended disappointingly with a first-round loss to the Denver Nuggets. Ham, who amassed a 90-74 record during his tenure, led the Lakers to two playoff appearances, including a memorable run to the Western Conference Finals in 2023 and a championship in the inaugural In-Season Tournament. However, the team decided to part ways with him. Photo: Instagram/Darvin Ham Rob Pelinka, Lakers' vice president of basketball operations and general manager, expressed gratitude for Ham's contributions but emphasized the need for change after reviewing the season. The Lakers now embark on the search for a new coach as they aim to deliver championship-level basketball to their fans worldwide. Despite having LeBron James and Anthony Davis mostly healthy throughout the season, the Lake...

Photo: Instagram/Darvin Ham The Los Angeles Lakers are facing tough questions as they head into the offseason. With uncertainties surrounding coaching, player contracts, and free agency, change seems inevitable in L.A.  Many eyes are on the coaching staff, especially Darvin Ham , who faced heavy criticism during the postseason for his game management and strategies against the Denver Nuggets. Speaking to the media after the Lakers' season finale, Ham addressed the criticism he's received, shifting some of the blame onto the players. Photo: Instagram/Darvin Ham "It’s amazing how people just skip that core part of having consistency with your lineup is all predicated on health and performance.  If you’re coaching a team and one of your starters is like 10 games in a row, just s—ting the bed, what are you going to do?" he said, as reported by Lakers Nation. Darvin Ham took some shots at #Lakers players when discussing his frustration about the criticism he has received ...

Photo: Instagram/LeBron James LeBron James didn't hold back his frustration during a pivotal NBA playoff game against the Nuggets, as he was left fuming over Lakers coach Darvin Ham 's choice not to challenge an out-of-bounds call.  Cameras captured the intense moment when LeBron vehemently urged the bench to contest the call, but to no avail. Despite the controversial decision, the Lakers managed to secure a crucial 119-108 victory, keeping their playoff hopes alive. Coach Ham emphasized the importance of the win, stressing the team's need to stay competitive and united. Photo: Instagram/LeBron James Facing a 3-0 deficit in their first-round series, the Lakers were determined to avoid elimination. LeBron James and Anthony Davis led the charge, combining for 55 points in a standout performance.  D'Angelo Russell and Austin Reaves also contributed significantly, helping the Lakers snap their 11-game losing streak against the defending champions. LEAKED Audio Of LeBro...

Photo: Instagram/LeBron James LeBron James has reportedly expressed frustration with Los Angeles Lakers head coach Darvin Ham amid a season filled with ups and downs.  As the Lakers battle through a rollercoaster year, questions loom over Ham's future with the team. Despite leading the Lakers to the Western Conference Finals in his first season, Ham has faced criticism for questionable decisions, particularly regarding player rotations. Photo: Instagram/LeBron James According to sources, James was notably displeased with Ham's coaching earlier in the season when the team encountered difficulties. With the Lakers' playoff hopes hanging in the balance, James's dissatisfaction with Ham raises concerns about the coach's future. If the team fails to make a deep postseason run, speculation swirls about whether James will influence the organization to part ways with Ham. As the cornerstone of the franchise, even in his 21st season, James wields significant influence. Rep...

Photo: Instagram/Anthony Davis   The Los Angeles Lakers delivered a commanding 116-104 win against the Oklahoma City Thunder, who slipped to No. 2 in the Western Conference standings.  The victory rejuvenates the Lakers' playoff aspirations and sets the stage for a pivotal stretch in their season. Coach Darvin Ham emphasized the urgency, stating, "We understand time is of the essence, and we've got to get busy in order to do what we're trying to do." The Lakers showcased defensive prowess with LeBron James , Austin Reaves , Anthony Davis , and D’Angelo Russell making impactful plays on both ends of the court. Photo: Instagram/Austin Reaves   Despite a challenging start against the Thunder, the Lakers mounted a remarkable defensive effort, limiting Oklahoma City to only 23 points over the next 17 minutes. D’Angelo Russell's clutch three-pointers sealed the victory, emphasizing the Lakers' defensive resilience. LeBron James, named conference player of the ...

Photo: Instagram/LeBron James   Los Angeles Lakers' woes continued as they faced a 123-113 defeat against the Phoenix Suns, marked by a season-low eight free throw attempts.  Lakers head coach Darvin Ham voiced his concerns, citing officiating "inconsistency" as a growing challenge. "I'm not one to use referees as an excuse," Ham stated. "But it's becoming increasingly tough because of the inconsistency. I'm seeing our guys get the same contact on them as we're supposedly committing. And the whistle is not being blown." Photo: Instagram/LeBron James   Despite ranking sixth in the league for free throw attempts per game at 24.3, the Lakers struggled to capitalize on the charity stripe, shooting just 77.2%.  The team's reliance on an inside-out approach, emphasizing points in the paint and limited 3-point attempts, was evident in Sunday's clash. Lakers star LeBron James weighed in on the situation, emphasizing the team's att...

Photo: Instagram/LeBron James In a surprising turn of events, the Los Angeles Lakers have officially filed a complaint with the NBA league office, alleging that LeBron James is not receiving enough foul calls during games. This move comes after Monday's narrow 108-107 loss to the Miami Heat, during which both James and head coach Darvin Ham expressed their frustration with missed foul calls. The complaint, as reported by ESPN's Dave McMenamin, points to "numerous missed foul calls," with a particular focus on perceived non-calls against James. The Lakers even provided video evidence from the game to support their claim of illegal contact against the star player. In that game, LeBron James finished with 30 points but made only four free throws. Photo: Instagram/LeBron James In contrast, the Miami Heat attempted 16 free throws as a team, while the Lakers had 14 attempts. The Lakers were also penalized with 17 fouls, while the Heat received 14.  James himself addressed...

Photo: Instagram/LeBron James  As the Los Angeles Lakers near the elimination of the Golden State Warriors in the Western Conference semifinals, the topic of flopping has come to the forefront. Warriors head coach Steve Kerr had previously described the Lakers as a team that plays with a lot of gamesmanship, generating calls. Ahead of Game 5, he acknowledged the Lakers' efforts to win, even calling one play a "blatant flop." Lakers head coach Darvin Ham responded, refuting the notion that his team practices flopping. Photo: Instagram/LeBron James has stated that he and his teammates do not resort to flopping on the court. However, this claim has been met with skepticism and disagreement from many individuals, including fans, analysts, and other players. LeBron James supported Ham's statement, claiming that the Lakers do not seek opportunities to flop, going as far as to say he has never been on a team that flops, even though he had previously talked about the val...

Photo: Instagram/ Anthony Davis , the key player of the Los Angeles Lakers , was forced to exit Game 5 in a wheelchair after getting hit in the head by Kevon Looney of the Golden State Warriors . Davis had been instrumental in the Lakers' success during the postseason, especially in the first-round series against the Memphis Grizzlies and the first four games of the second-round series against the Warriors. His injury could be a major setback for the Lakers, who may have to complete the series without him. According to reports, Davis was hit in the head by Looney's forearm while attempting to defend a layup by D'Angelo Russell in the fourth quarter. Photo: Instagram/Anthony Davis has been a crucial part of the Lakers' success since he joined the team. His scoring ability, defensive prowess, and leadership have helped the Lakers compete for championships. After leaving the game, Davis was escorted in a wheelchair for further evaluation. Lakers coach Darvin Ham was op...

Photo: Instagram/LeBron James  LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers had a remarkable performance during their recent game against the Utah Jazz , which resulted in an overtime win. Despite easing into a full workload since his return from injury, James displayed NBA Playoffs form, scoring 37 points on 14-of-27 shooting from the field. This win propelled the Lakers ahead of the New Orleans Pelicans , placing them in seventh place in the Western Conference standings. Photo: Instagram/LeBron James  Following the game, James was asked how the increased playing time would affect him during their upcoming back-to-back game against the Los Angeles Clippers . In response, James gave a lighthearted and honest answer, saying he planned on putting his feet in an ice bucket to recover. ESPN's Ohm Youngmisuk tweeted the statement. The Lakers and the Clippers are currently tied at 41-38 and trail the Golden State Warriors by half a game. This presents a golden opportunity for the Lakers...

Photo: Instagram/Anthony Davis  Los Angeles Lakers player Anthony Davis put on a stunning performance in a game against his former team, the New Orleans Pelicans , finishing with 35 points, 17 rebounds, and one triple. Despite leading the Lakers to a 123-108 win, the team received an unfortunate injury update on their superstar big man. Lakers head coach Darvin Ham revealed that Davis will be ruled out for Wednesday's game against the Houston Rockets due to a foot injury related to his previous 20-game absence earlier in the season. Photo: Instagram/Anthony Davis  Ham emphasized that Davis has been playing pain-free from the injury, and the decision to sit him out is purely precautionary. However, the coach also hinted that it will be the trend for Davis to sit out in back-to-back games for the rest of the season. The Lakers have one more back-to-back set remaining on April 4th and 5th against the Utah Jazz and the Los Angeles Clippers , respectively, and it's likely that...

Photo: Instagram/LeBron James  The Los Angeles Lakers are eagerly awaiting the return of LeBron James , who is currently recovering from a foot tendon injury. Although it is still unclear when James will return to the court, head coach Darvin Ham stated that he is making progress in his rehab. Ham’s update on James was given one day after reports that the basketball player is doing everything in his power to speed up his recovery. Photo: Instagram/LeBron James  Ham told reporters that James will be returning to the bench to support the team after a brief break, indicating that there have been no setbacks in his recovery so far. While James is currently in the second week of his three-week rest period, there is optimism that he may return to the court soon. In fact, James was not seen wearing the walking boot that he had previously worn, suggesting that he is making strides towards a full recovery. Despite the positive developments, the Lakers still have a long way to go befo...

Photo: Instagram/D'Angelo Russell  The Los Angeles Lakers have been playing without their primary ball handlers, LeBron James and D’Angelo Russell , for most of the season. While James is expected to be out for a couple more weeks, Russell's return seems imminent. He was upgraded to questionable before the Lakers' game against the Memphis Grizzlies but was eventually ruled out. Photo: Instagram/D'Angelo Russell  However, coach Darvin Ham gave a positive update on Russell's status after the game, stating that he is targeting a return against the Toronto Raptors on Friday if his workout goes well. The Lakers wanted to get Russell some more live-action in a playgroup before determining whether he feels healthy enough to return. They did exactly that, and Ham confirmed that Russell will be returning on Friday. Russell himself confirmed that he is ready to go and pain-free after practice. Getting Russell back will be a huge boost for the Lakers in the home stretch of t...

Photo: Instagram/Darvin Ham  The Lakers faced a tough game against the Memphis Grizzlies without their star forward, LeBron James, who is out with a foot injury. The game was an indication that the Lakers will face challenges on both offense and defense during James' absence. Despite putting up a strong fight in the first half, the Lakers lost steam and were defeated 121-109 by Memphis. Photo: Instagram/Darvin Ham  The Grizzlies' Ja Morant scored a triple-double of 39 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists, setting a new franchise record for points in a single quarter with 28 points in the third quarter. The Lakers had a three-point lead at halftime, thanks to Anthony Davis' exceptional performance of 28 points and 19 rebounds. However, the Grizzlies made adjustments, and the Lakers did not switch up their game plan, leading to fan dissatisfaction with coach Darvin Ham. Twitter users called for Ham's firing after just one year on the job. If the Lakers are to be successful...

Photo: Instagram/Anthony Davis  The Lakers are frustrated with Anthony Davis due to his continuous physical problems that have caused him to miss 24 out of 59 games this season, making him a burden to the team. Despite his impressive average of 26 points, 12.3 rebounds, and 2.5 assists, the hole caused by his absences seems to outweigh his contributions on the court. The Lakers are struggling to stay competitive, and LeBron James needs another top player to revive the team. According to NBA insider Chris Broussard, the player could be Kyrie Irving. Photo: Instagram/Anthony Davis  The Dallas Mavericks, who recently acquired Irving from the Nets, are interested in trading him for Anthony Davis in a sign-and-trade deal in the summer. The Lakers are aware of Dallas' interest and are seriously considering it but will wait until the end of the season to see if Davis can play more games and make his mark on the team. LeBron James is frustrated with Davis' physical fragility and how l...