Report: "Disconnect" Between Darvin Ham, Lakers Players. Has He Lost the Locker Room?

The Lakers played a shameful game Wednesday night, losing at home to a Miami squad that didn't have Jimmy Butler in a game that looked worse than the score. (And the score wasn't good.) They were listless, turnover-happy and wildly out of sorts, the next step in a post-IST progression to really bad basketball. The vibe has clearly been off, based on body language and postgame comments and on-court performance. On Thursday, what was supposition and background chatter was pushed front and center by a report from Shams Charania and Jovan Buha at The Athletic, detailing a "disconnect" between Darvin Ham and the roster, based in part on Ham's rotation choices and a lack of clarity around what the team was trying to do. So how big a problem is this? How much of LA's recent struggles are a function of the players? Of Ham? Of context? Can they pull themselves out of this before it costs Ham his job? (Is that the goal, if you're a Lakers player?) Clearly not everything happening with/to the Lakers is Ham's fault. The front office and the players themselves have plenty of responsibility as well. But multiple things can be true at once - Darvin can be dealt a difficult hand, and still not navigate things effectively. Where has he gone wrong? What has happened that has prevented the Lakers from recapturing last year's late season success? How has the context changed? HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky SEGMENT 1: The Athletic reports that Darvin Ham and the Lakers roster are not on the same page. SEGMENT 2: What has been the issue? Is it individual decisions, or the larger vision? SEGMENT 3: The context of this year vs. last is very different. Has Ham adjusted accordingly? Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Hungryroot Hungryroot is the easiest way to get fresh, high-quality food delivered to your door. They’ve got healthy groceries and simple recipes, all in one place. Just go to Hungryroot.com/LOCKEDON, to get 40% off your first delivery and get your free veggies.  BetterHelp This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Make your brain your friend, with BetterHelp. Visit BetterHelp.com/LOCKEDONNBA today to get 10% off your first month. LinkedIn LinkedIn Jobs helps you find the qualified candidates you want to talk to, faster. Post your job for free at LinkedIn.com/LOCKEDONNBA. Terms and conditions apply. PrizePicks Go to PrizePicks.com/lockedonnba and use code lockedonnba for a first deposit match up to $100! Gametime Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDON for $20 off your first purchase. FanDuel Score early this NFL season with FanDuel, America’s Number One Sportsbook! Right now, NEW customers get ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY DOLLARS in BONUS BETS with any winning FIVE DOLLAR MONEYLINE BET! That’s A HUNDRED AND FIFTY BUCKS – if your team wins! Visit FanDuel.com/LOCKEDON to get started. FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices