"Lakers players hated playing for Darvin Ham" - LeBron James and Co. reportedly detested ex-coach as JJ Redick era officially tips off
LA Lakers rookie coach JJ Redick continues to receive rave preseason reviews, while his predecessor Darvin Ham keeps catching flak. According to multiple NBA sources who spoke with Hoops Wire, while Lakers players "have loved" Redick's new coaching philosophy, they "hated" playing under Ham.
To begin his LA coaching tenure, Redick has been vocal about overhauling his squad's offense. He has consistently emphasized increasing 3-point attempts, off-ball movement and energy on the offensive glass. Meanwhile, he has challenged several Lakers players to step out of their comfort zones and expand their games.
During training camp and the beginning of preseason, players have commended Redick's structure and attention to detail. In the process, some appear to have taken subtle shots at Ham, whose schemes were constantly scrutinized over the past two years.
On Wednesday, Hoops Wire's Ashish Mathur further outlined LA's players' contrasting views of their current and former coach, per multiple league insiders.
"Although the Lakers have only played two preseason games (both losses) under Redick, NBA sources have told Hoops Wire that players have 'loved' everything Redick has brought to the table," Mathur wrote. "Those same sources also said that Lakers players 'hated' playing for Ham."
Lakers superstars Anthony Davis and LeBron James were named among the players dissatisfied with Ham. Davis was reportedly "never a fan of Ham's drop coverage defensive tactic." Meanwhile, James purportedly "wasn't pleased when Ham tried to limit his minutes" and "rolled his eyes multiple times when Ham would draw up offensive plays."
LA went 90-74 in two seasons under Ham, securing back-to-back playoff appearances, including making the 2023 Western Conference finals. However, the team did so as a seventh seed in both campaigns, fighting its way into the postseason via the play-in tournament.
So, JJ Redick has a chance to bring stability to the organization and establish the Lakers as a more consistent regular-season squad.
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NBA insiders say JJ Redick "has run circles around" Darvin Ham X's and O's-wise
Later in Hoops Wire's report, Mathur shared another NBA insider's intel regarding how the Lakers began dismissing Darvin Ham's coaching early last season.
"They respected him as a person, not as a coach," the source said. "His schemes, rotations and inability to take accountability for his mistakes rubbed guys the wrong way all year. They started tuning him out all the way back in December."
Conversely, other sources said that JJ Redick "has run circles around Ham" from an "X's and O's standpoint" and players are "loving" his movement-based offense.
Time will tell whether Redick's new schemes pay off or if Lakers players ultimately turn on him if the team underperforms.
As for Ham, he was seemingly able to land on his feet, securing the Milwaukee Bucks' top assistant coaching gig alongside veteran coach Doc Rivers. Milwaukee is projected to be among the Eastern Conference's top contenders this season. So, Ham should have a prime opportunity to contend for the 2025 NBA championship.
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