It’s time for a new era for the Los Angeles Lakers under new head coach Darvin Ham. The 48-year-old was presented to the media for the first time on Monday during a news conference during which he discussed his vision for the squad going into the 2022-23 season.
Ham described the reunion as a “homecoming” when he appeared at his news conference. Prior to joining the Atlanta Hawks in 2013, the 2004 NBA champion was an assistant coach for Mike Brown and Mike D’Antoni at the University of Kansas from 2011 to 2013.
Lakers defense, Russell Westbrook‘s fit on the club, and expectations for Anthony Davis and LeBron James were among the topics discussed by Ham throughout the interview. Ham has said that he is seeking someone who can take charge and wear multiple hats as he begins to construct his coaching team in Los Angeles.
What Ham expects of LeBron, Davis, and Westbrook
“Competitiveness, togetherness, and accountability. That’s going to be our mantra: competitiveness, togetherness, and accountability. That toughness everyone has been throwing around attached to my name, well that’s just being competitive. Being competitive you’ve got to be tough-minded, you have to be tough physically. Togetherness – it’s a team sport. We can’t have each other be out on an island…
“Accountability, when we set this standard, we watch film, I have to be able to get on LeBron, get on Russ, get on AD, just like when I’m ready to get on Austin Reaves and Stanley Johnsons and the likes. It’s that accountability top to bottom, even as coaches, holding myself accountable… Regardless of the sport you’re gonna find those three ingredients.”
Ham told Malika Andrews of ESPN
