After Frank Vogel in 2022 and Luke Walton in 2019, Darvin Ham was fired on May 3rd, making him the third head coach of the Lakers since LeBron James joined the illustrious team in 2018.

In response to the announcement, seasoned analyst Michael Wilbon criticized the Lakers for dismissing Ham, who in his first season as head coach in 2022–2023 guided the team to the Western Conference Finals.

“What do you know? I’m upset. Wilbon stated, “I’ve known Darvin Ham for a long time,” during the May 3 ESPN show “Pardon The Interruption.” “He’s a pretty damn good coach as well as a great guy.” Because under his leadership, a team that had done nothing the year before and missed the playoffs advanced to the conference finals the previous year, and everyone, including LeBron and Anthony Davis, praised him.

And suddenly, without warning, they start blaming him, and I’m referring to the two of them especially. Their remarks in public are insufficient.

Wilbon then challenged James to own up to his role in Ham’s firing, particularly if he wanted to declare himself the best player in the NBA.

“LeBron, if you want to be the greatest player of all time, you want to tell everyone that you are the best player ever. then accept responsibility as one. Take that action!

Is It Fair to Blame LeBron James?

Wilbon then encouraged James to adopt a similar attitude rather than assigning blame by citing the examples of Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan accepting responsibility following their respective teams’ disappointing playoff losses.

James was instructed by Wilbon, “If you’re the GOAT, you do that [take accountability].” “You do not place the blame for this insidiously or deceptively on Darvin Ham. Nobody wearing a Laker uniform should be telling me that Darvin Ham is the main issue. Yes, LeBron and Anthony Davis were outstanding in the series, but Denver was too strong for them, so move on. GOAT bears accountability. I fail to see it.

James will soon be playing for his eleventh head coach after Ham leaves the team, assuming he stays with the Laker team past the 2024 free agency window. ESPN commentator Stephen A. Smith concurs with Wilbon that James needs to take responsibility for the firing of multiple coaches.

“If Anthony Davis and LeBron James want him to say it, there’s no way Darvin Ham is gone,” Smith declared during the May 6 episode of ESPN’s “First Take.” “LeBron James not standing up for him, and Anthony Davis speaking out against him… Excuse me, but evaluating someone’s GOAT status also involves evaluating their acrimony, friction, divide, and fragmentation because each of those factors influences an individual’s brilliance or lack thereof. Perhaps that explains why LeBron only has four rings rather than six.

Who Will Take Ham’s Place?

According to reports, the Lakers will shortly start a comprehensive search to select their next head coach. Candidates that are being considered include Mike Budenholzer, Jason Kidd, Ty Lue, Terry Stotts, JJ Redick, and Kenny Atkinson.

Lue of the Clippers and Kidd of the Mavericks are two of the at least two names that have already been eliminated from consideration. On May 6, Kidd inked a new, long-term deal with Dallas, and Lue is anticipated to sign a similar deal with the Clippers.

The Lakers may have to take a chance on a rookie coach like Redick or maybe former Laker Rajon Rondo if Lue and Kidd are unavailable.

As of May 6, Budenholzer—a two-time Coach of the Year—is the clear favorite to become the next Lakers head coach.