Growing Disconnect Between Darvin Ham, Lakers Players

The Los Angeles Lakers dropped below .500 on the season, following a home loss to the Miami Heat on Wednesday. That’s the least of the Lakers problems, as there is a growing disconnect between head coach Darvin Ham and his players, sources told The Athletic.

Six sources said the disconnect is driven by Ham’s regular starting lineup and rotation adjustments. That’s led to the Lakers having struggles finding a rhythm.

Approximately two weeks ago, Ham chose to bench D’Angelo Russell to start a bigger lineup featuring LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Taurean Prince and Jarred Vanderbilt. That decision left multiple within the Los Angeles organization as puzzled, as it left James as the Lakers’ lone ballhandler.