After being swept by the Nuggets in the Western Conference Finals, Lakers head coach Darvin Ham took a moment to reflect on the team’s remarkable journey and express admiration for the Nuggets’ performance.
The Lakers’ season began on a challenging note, with a 2-10 start leaving them in 13th place in the Western Conference in February. However, the team showcased resilience and determination, managing to secure a spot in the play-in tournament as the 7th seed and ultimately qualifying for the playoffs. Under the leadership of rookie coach Darvin Ham, the Lakers defied the odds and proved their mettle on the court.
In Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals, LeBron James, 38, delivered an outstanding performance, contributing 40 points, 10 rebounds, and 9 assists. Ham praised James’ mindset and unwavering focus throughout the playoffs, stating, “I just thought he came out with a mindset to keep this thing going. He came in the building as he’s been all year throughout the playoffs with a focus, a determination to get it done by any means necessary. I just thank them all. It’s great, the competitive spirit was phenomenal.”
Ham highlighted the Lakers’ journey from a deep hole to becoming one of the final four teams in the 2023 NBA postseason, acknowledging James and Anthony Davis for their leadership and communication. He commended their role in the team’s complete turnaround, stating, “He and AD both… he just came out ready to go.”
Addressing the end-of-game situations and the physicality of the NBA, Ham acknowledged the challenges faced by James, noting, “Here’s contact on just about every play in the NBA now… All you want is fairness and consistency.” He emphasized the team’s intention to get the ball in the hands of their best player and allow him to make plays in an area on the floor where he’s comfortable.
Despite the loss, Ham expressed his admiration for the Denver Nuggets, acknowledging their exceptional performance and well-balanced roster. He extended his respect and well wishes to the Nuggets, emphasizing their one-two punch of Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray.
“But again, not to take anything away from [the Nuggets]. They’re a hell of a ball club,” Ham said. “They’ve been great all year, been great for a few years now. They have a hell of a one-two punch in Joker [Nikola Jokic] and Jamal [Murray]. I wish them nothing but the best. Mike Malone, happy for him and his staff. They’ve done a phenomenal job of establishing a culture up there in Denver, making that a tough place to play.
“Well-balanced roster, very, very well coached. Some great vets over there, some guys are going to get opportunity to get a ring I think for the first time DeAndre [Jordan], Jeff Green those guys. Kudos to Ish Smith. Some guys that’s been around the league a long, long time. And then Joker get an opportunity, Jamal get an opportunity to step out on the final stage and try to make something happen. So nothing but love and respect for the Denver Nuggets. Love the way they play and love what they’re about.”
Looking forward, Ham remained optimistic about the Lakers’ potential, emphasizing their opportunity to build upon the experiences gained during this season. He believes the team has the potential to achieve something special and expressed his commitment to moving forward, stating, “Even though this is year one and this losing sucks, I think we have the opportunity to do something special here also. And we just gotta build off this.”
