Lake Show Life
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Lakers’ Darvin Ham must make these changes to make the NBA Playoffs

By Jason Reed

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 11: Head coach Darvin Ham of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on against the Golden State Warriors during the second quarter of an NBA basketball game at Chase Center on February 11, 2023 in San Francisco, California. 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 Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 11: Head coach Darvin Ham of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on against the Golden State Warriors during the second quarter of an NBA basketball game at Chase Center on February 11, 2023 in San Francisco, California. 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 Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
(Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /

2. Lonnie Walker IV has to get booted from the Lakers’ regular rotation

We here at Lake Show Life have been ahead of the Lonnie Walker IV narrative from the start. Walker enjoyed a hot individual start to the season for the Lake Show that had many fans inflating his actual value to the team. While his individual numbers were better, he was not helping the team play winning basketball.

We dove into the harsh reality about Walker months ago here at Lake Show Life and now that the team has better depth on the roster, they can afford to essentially faze Walker out of the rotation. It might not seem like a popular decision but it is the right one.

Ham is already putting this plan into motion it seems. Walker only played three minutes in the Lakers’ final game of the first half, which was the first game in which the entire new supporting cast was together on the court.

Los Angeles has simply been more successful without Walker on the court. The Lakers are 13-8 this season when Walker plays less than 15 minutes (or does not play at all). When Walker plays more than 15 minutes they are 14-24. It does not take a rocket scientist to realize that is a huge difference.

And just to hammer the point home: Walker has the worse on/off net rating on the entire team. The Lakers’ net rating is 7.7 points worse when Walker is on the court. If the Lakers’ net rating was 7.7 points higher they would go from the no. 24 team in net rating to no. 1. That is how big of a difference it is.

Los Angeles’ net rating doesn’t climb by 7.7 points without Walker playing as he does not play every single minute, but it is clear how big of a negative impact he has had on the team.

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