Lakers head coach Darvin Ham is reflecting on the remarkable journey that the team accomplished during the 2023 NBA season and expressed admiration for the Denver Nuggets, whom they were swept by in the Western Conference Finals.
The Lakers faced various challenges at the start of the season, losing 10 of their first 12 games and finding themselves in 13th place in the Western Conference in February. However, the team persevered and secured a spot in the play-in tournament as the 7th seed, eventually qualifying for the playoffs. Under the leadership of rookie coach Darvin Ham, the Lakers defied the odds and proved their resilience on the court.
Coach Ham commended LeBron James and his unwavering focus throughout the playoffs, stating how he came into the building with the determination to get the job done. He recognized the Lakers’ journey from their deep hole to becoming one of the final four teams, acknowledging James and Anthony Davis for their leadership and communication, as well as their roles in the team’s complete turnaround. He also acknowledged the challenges faced by James, particularly end-of-game situations and the physicality of the NBA.
Despite the loss, Ham expressed his admiration for the exceptional performance of the well-balanced roster of the Denver Nuggets. He extended his respect and well wishes to the Nuggets, emphasizing their one-two punch of Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray.
Looking forward, Ham remains optimistic about the Lakers’ potential and opportunities. He believes that 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.”