Darvin Ham enjoyed some very real success during his two seasons as the head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers. In his first season, the Lakers somehow ran all the way to the Western Conference Finals despite entering the playoffs as the No. 7 seed in the conference. Last season wasn’t quite as kind, but the team still won 47 games before falling to the defending champion Denver Nuggets in the first round.
It’s hard to believe the Lakers could have accomplished even more in the loaded West under Ham’s leadership, but his former players apparently believe it. Ham has been catching strays from ever since the Lakers fired him in favor of JJ Redick ahead of this year. The Lakers apparently really did not like Ham, and it keeps showing.
On Thursday night, Scotty Pippen Jr. became the latest of Ham’s former players to take a swipe at the coach. Pippen was on the Lakers on a two-way deal during the 2022-23 season, and then got cut in training camp the next year. He eventually latched on with the Memphis Grizzlies, and is now on a standard NBA contract and figuring into the rotation. Pippen is playing some very good basketball lately, and he just helped shut down Damian Lillard in Memphis’ win over the Bucks.
Ham, by the way, is now an assistant coach on Milwaukee. Here’s what Pippen said about his performance after the game.
Scotty Pippen Jr. was one of the players who guarded Dame the most tonight. He said he “definitely” took that matchup personal. Why?
“One of the coaches over there didn’t believe in me so I definitely wanted to show I can play some defense.”
I’ll let you solve the puzzle. https://t.co/wFg1ugOIXv
— Damichael Cole (@DamichaelC) November 1, 2024
Good on Pippen. He was an undrafted free agent coming out of Vanderbilt who had to grind his way through the G League before he got an opportunity. Unlike some Lakers, being the son of a Hall of Famer didn’t do Pippen Jr. any favors. He earned this opportunity by becoming the best player he could be.
Talk your trash, Scotty. You know the rest of your former teammates support you.
D’Angelo Russell took a shot at Ham during media day. Even Bronny took a swipe. For his part, Ham is taking the high road. Good for him. They can never take that Western Conference Finals run away from you.
The Lakers could still really use a perimeter defender like Pippen Jr. Too bad Ham couldn’t see the vision.
