3 things Darvin Ham must instantly do as head coach of the Lakers

By Jason Reed | May 31, 2022

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - JANUARY 08: Acting head coach Darvin Ham of the Milwaukee Bucks reacts during the second half of the game against the Charlotte Hornets at Spectrum Center on January 08, 2022 in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images) /

2. Hire experienced coaches as assistants

Darvin Ham has no experience as a head coach and that is not a bad thing. Ime Udoka led the Boston Celtics to the NBA Finals this season in his first year as a head coach and the guy he is squaring off against, Steve Kerr, did the same thing in his first season with the Golden State Warriors.

It is important for Ham to establish his own culture in the team but it is also important to get coaches with experience that can help him along the way. While it would not have been a good thing to hire said coaches as the head coach, as assistants, they can add value.

Just look at the value that Jason Kidd added to the Los Angeles Lakers’ staff under Frank Vogel. Kidd was heavily rumored to get the job in LA before Vogel did and he ultimately got an assistant role after two bad coaching stints with Brooklyn and Milwaukee.

Kidd had a big impact and parlayed that into another head coaching gig with the Dallas Mavericks, leading them to the Western Conference Finals. The Lakers need to find a coach who is looking to do the same thing and can have an impact like Kidd.

Terry Stotts is someone who was heavily connected to the Lakers and even though he reportedly won’t take an assistant job, the Lakers should be targeting someone like Stotts to add to Ham’s staff next season.

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