The Los Angeles Lakers have experienced their ninth loss in 12 games, marking a new low point in their season. This has sparked concerns about the direction of the season from both inside and outside the organization. There has been a growing disconnect between Darvin Ham and the Lakers’ locker room. Sources have reported that the head coach’s standing is being called into question due to extreme rotation and starting lineup adjustments, leading to inconsistency among players.
The Miami Heat defeated the Lakers 110-96, causing the team to fall below .500 for the first time since November 11th. The Lakers have struggled to establish their best lineups and continuity this season despite their healthy roster. This has led to growing concern within the organization.
After the loss, head coach Darvin Ham attributed the team’s struggle to lineup changes and players being in and out of the lineup due to injuries. However, players such as Anthony Davis and Austin Reaves expressed frustration with the team’s performance and emphasized that the changing lineups should not be used as an excuse.
Ham hinted at considering various lineup possibilities in an effort to improve the team’s performance, stating that everything is on the table. The team had a postgame meeting to address their ongoing struggles, but emotions were high, with Reaves describing the locker room atmosphere as “sh—y” due to the losing streak.
Despite the challenges, Ham has shown an ability to lead the team through adversity, but there is a growing sense of urgency given the expectations around star players such as LeBron James and Anthony Davis.