Los Angeles (AFP)
The Los Angeles Lakers abandoned their coach, Darvin Ham, after their campaign ended in the first round of the NBA Playoff, losing their series to the defending champion Denver Nuggets 1-4 in the Western Conference.
The Lakers achieved 90 victories, compared to 74 defeats during the two seasons they spent under the leadership of the 50-year-old coach, but the journey of LeBron James and his companions ended at the hands of the Nuggets for the second season in a row, after they lost to the latter in the Western Conference final last year.
“We greatly appreciate Darvin’s efforts on behalf of the Lakers, and recognize the many accomplishments achieved over the past two seasons, including last year’s impressive run to the Western Conference Final,” Lakers Vice President of Basketball Operations Rob Pelinka said.
He added, “Although this decision is difficult to make, it is the best course of action after a complete review of the season. This organization remains steadfast in its commitment to providing championship-caliber basketball to Lakers fans around the world.”
In addition to the issue of deciding on an important successor, who is nominated to be former player Djay Redick according to media reports, despite the 39-year-old’s lack of coaching experience, the Lakers are facing a state of uncertainty regarding the future of their veteran star LeBron James, the league’s four-time best player, who could cancel The final year of his contract, he left the team this summer.
James said that he would like to play next season, alongside his son Bronny, who decided to include his name in the draft designated for recruiting players to the league, scheduled for next month.
After achieving 47 victories against 35 defeats in the regular season in a journey that included winning the first edition of the “In-Season” Cup, the Lakers were forced to enter the “Playin” playoff, in order to qualify for the “Playoff”, where they defeated the New Orleans Pelicans to finish seventh. In the Western Region ranking.
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