NBA – Mercilessly, Shaq buries the Lakers coach: “You really think LeBron will…

NBA Shaq parle de LeBron et Kobe

NBA Shaq talks LeBron and KobeNBA (DR)

While the Lakers are going through another very difficult patch, coach Darvin Ham is being singled out as the main culprit by fans and observers. Formerly of the Californian house, Shaquille O’Neal did not spare him by making a particularly wild speech towards him, on his podcast.

Ultimately, the Lakers are where they were last year. After 40 matches, the Purples and Golds have 19 wins and 21 losses, just like in 2022-23. They had certainly reached the conference finals, but then benefited from the shock caused by the departure of Russell Westbrook. Now, it’s hard to know what could get them back on track by the start of the playoffs…

Unsurprisingly, certain players in the franchise find themselves overwhelmed by criticism, particularly coach Darvin Ham. The latter has been bombarded with murderous comments for weeks, whether for his management of men or his tactical choices. And don’t count on Shaquille O’Neal to support him, the former center questioning the respect he inspires in his men:

Shaq destroys Darvin Ham because of his lack of experience

What I know for sure is that the CV is important in a locker room. Do you really think LeBron is going to listen to Darvin Ham in hot moments? I know the answer to this question, I’ll let you find it. Do you think Anthony Davis will listen to Darvin Ham? This is no disrespect to Darvin Ham, but he has no title experience, no playoff experience.

So, if I’m a guy who has often fought for the title, why would I listen to a guy who has never been at this stage of the competition before? But as the one-two punch of the team, if it’s true, they have to say to themselves: “we’re not going to listen to him, we’re going to listen to ourselves.” This is what we must do. »

The Big Cactus analysis is wild and somewhat unjustified. Let’s remember, the former player was champion in 2004 with the Pistons against Shaq’s… Lakers, before winning the title as an assistant with the Bucks in 2021. In other words, he knows how to go for a ring, even if he had never had to take on so much responsibility before. Some fans therefore came to his aid.

Pat Riley, Phil Jackson, Pop and Red Auerbach had no title experience when they won their first ring and they are the four greatest coaches in history. The CV can help, but it is not a prerequisite.

For Shaquille O’Neal, Darvin Ham’s inexperience greatly harms the Lakers but also and above all his credibility with his stars. Everyone will have their own opinion on the subject but what is certain is that the tactician is in danger this season.