"This is year one"- Darvin Ham upbeat about the Lakers future after getting swept by Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets
Darvin Ham's LA Lakers have officially been eliminated from the playoffs after a 111-113 loss in Game 4. Although the sweep in the WCF is a hard pill to swallow, the Lakers head coach remains upbeat about what's to come.
Ham has displayed a rather positive attitude for the most part. Even in the face of adversity after three consecutive losses, Ham seemed fairly confident in his team's ability to win a game.
While a lot of this may have been to appease fans, the Lakers head coach certainly said all the right things as the team came out all guns blazing on Monday. Unfortunately, the Denver Nuggets simply outclassed them when the time came to execute.
While the loss is undoubtedly disheartening for players and the coaching staff, Ham expressed a positive outlook for the next season.
While speaking to the media after the game, Ham started off with a brief account of the Lakers' shortcomings. He followed this up with praise for the Nuggets and their players. While wishing them well for the Finals he said:
(Watch Ham's comments from 2:49-3:15)
"Nothing but love and respect for the Denver Nuggets. Love the way they play. Love what they're about. But we also saw ways that - Even though this is year one. Losing sucks. I think we have an opportunity to do something special here also and we've just got to build off of this every day."
Ham's comments continue to inspire some confidence in his abilities as a head coach. With a long offseason awaiting the LA Lakers, we look forward to seeing what the Purple and Gold can produce to bring them back to a familiar place of success.
Read: "What more can he do man"- Lakers fans applaud LeBron James despite getting swept
Should the LA Lakers stick with Darvin Ham?
Considering it was Ham's first season as head coach and the challenges posed by injuries to key players, there is no reason for the Lakers to part ways with him. Despite some questionable decision-making in the playoffs, Ham has shown promise and deserves another opportunity to work with the team.
The Lakers' front office now has the responsibility to build a solid core and support Ham in his coaching efforts. With a full season ahead and a stronger roster, the Lakers can potentially become a formidable force once again.
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