Los Angeles Lakers have fired head coach Darvin Ham after two seasons and a 90-74 regular-season record.
"We greatly appreciate Darvin's efforts on behalf of the Lakers and recognise the many accomplishments achieved over the past two seasons, including last year's remarkable run to the Western Conference finals," general manager Rob Pelinka said.
"We all want to thank Darvin for his dedication and positivity. While this was a difficult decision to make, it is the best course of action following a full review of the season.
"This organization will remain unwavering in its commitment to deliver championship-caliber basketball to Lakers fans around the world."
The Lakers finished the regular season with a 47-35 mark, good enough for only an eighth-place finish in the Western Conference. They defeated New Orleans Pelicans in the play-in round to earn the No.7 seed in the playoffs, but were bounced by Denver Nuggets in the opening round, 4-1.
The Nuggets also defeated the Lakers last season in the conference finals on the way to their first NBA title.
All seemed optimistic in Lakers land, when the team roared to the title in the NBA in-season tournament with a 123-109 victory over Indiana Pacers at Las Vegas on December 9, but a 3-9 stretch followed, and reports emerged of growing unrest between the players and Ham, 50.
The Lakers hired Ham on June 3, 2022, to replace Frank Vogel, after a 33-49 record in 2021/22, two years removed from winning the NBA championship. It was Ham's first NBA head coaching job.
Lakers fans chanted "Fire Darvin Ham" in game three of the series with the Nuggets. After the game, All-Star Anthony Davis said the Lakers "don't know what we're doing on both ends of the floor" for stretches of games.
"It's been a hell of a two years sitting in this seat, I'll tell you that," said Ham. "It's been a hell of a two years."
Reuters
