Fresh allegations have surfaced suggesting that LeBron James is exerting his influence within the organization to override coach Darvin Ham’s decisions.
Earlier in the season, speculations arose regarding LeBron’s dissatisfaction with Ham, evident in instances where he was observed giving his coach a disdainful glance.
According to a recent report from Lakers insider Anthony Irwin, LeBron has been known to frequently disregard his coach’s play calls, opting instead to implement his own strategies on the court. Furthermore, sources close to the situation revealed instances where LeBron openly dismisses Ham’s instructions to his teammates, instructing them to ignore their coach’s directives.
“He sits in the huddle and gets his rest/water, rolls his eyes as Ham speaks, and waits for the huddle to break,” one source close to the situation told Lakers Daily’s Anthony Irwin. “If Ham ever does draw up a play, as soon as the huddle breaks, James will tell everyone else on the court with him ‘f— all that’ and calls a play of his own.”
The situation appears to reflect tensions within the team, with LeBron allegedly displaying signs of disrespect towards Ham during team huddles, rolling his eyes as the coach speaks and asserting his dominance by disregarding Ham’s plays in favor of his own.
Despite the apparent discord, coach Ham continues to enjoy the backing of Lakers owner Jeanie Buss. In contrast to previous instances where Buss held the head coach accountable for team shortcomings, she is reportedly standing firmly behind Ham, signaling her support for the coach despite the challenges he faces.
While Ham has issues to resolve both in his locker room and elsewhere within Laker Land, he has the continued support of owner Jeanie Buss.
Unlike the Vogel situation, where Buss was known to believe the former coach was largely to blame for the failed integration of Russell Westbrook and ultimately greenlighted his April 2022 firing as a result, all signs point to the Lakers’ most important decision-maker standing by the coach, who is in the second year of a four-year deal.
As the Lakers navigate through a turbulent season, including potential early playoff elimination, the offseason looms with uncertainties regarding the team’s future direction and potential changes within the coaching staff.
