Darvin Ham criticizes Lakers young players, says he’ll meet with them after late-game performance vs. Wizards

On Wednesday, with 1:44 remaining in the game, the Lakers led 123-109. With 104 seconds remaining and up 14, Darvin Ham did what any other coach would have done: he pulled his bench, allowing experienced players LeBron James and Anthony Davis more time to recover.

After that, there was a catastrophe class.

Before Justin Champagnie went on a five-point spree, the Lakers let up a three-pointers and two layups to Eugene Omouruyi. Coach Ham was forced to call a timeout and insert the starting lineup.

You may add this low point to the reel in a season full of many terrible points.

After the game, Ham commented, “It’s unfortunate.” “As a novice, a second-year, a third-year, or even an experienced player, your goal is to capture the victory…There is no rite of passage to be in this league, no matter what time of day. It makes no difference if you’re an executive, coach, or athlete.

“There is no ceremony of passage, not even in ownership. You owe no one anything. I detest the phrase “garbage time,” but you have to approach every minute of practice if you want to establish who you are as a player. You’re an NBA player. There are only a limited number of slots available, so you have to play—even if it’s for the final fifty seconds—or stay at home. Like you never know who’s looking when you’re attempting to make an impression on someone.All you have to do is adopt that attitude—that nothing comes for free. All things are earned. On Friday, I’ll have a conversation with a few of our younger guys.

The series ended without a defeat because Davis stopped Jared Butler’s 3-point attempt. But this incident also brought attention to a larger issue: the Lakers bench is weak.

The bench is weak offensively and has trouble scoring as a group. During this most recent road trip, they defeated the Brooklyn Nets with a team comprised of seven bench players who combined for 64 minutes and two points.

The likelihood that the starters will score every point as the postseason approaches grows, and no lead will be secure if LeBron or Davis rests.

The Lakers have dealt with this problem before. This year, garbage time has been trash, pun intended, with young kids only waiting for their chance with a highlight reel so impressive the coach has to give them more time.

Rather than that outcome, we have a peek of a poor G-league squad where players are just concerned with themselves. As a result, there are two unfavourable outcomes: the team loses and nobody looks good on their own.

Although I’m sure there have been previous discussions, Ham’s meeting with these players on Friday must be the most severe yet. It’s long overdue.

It’s serious basketball here. They may have a very modest playoff rotation if they put in that kind of quality and effort. These athletes merely need to glance in the mirror to determine who is at fault.