The Los Angeles Lakers' hiring of Darvin Ham as their next head coach has been largely met with positive responses. In fact, even one-time NBA champion Meta Sandiford Artest (Ron Artest) believes the team made the right move.
In an interview with Sun Herald, Artest shared his experience working with Ham when the tactician was with the Lakers as an assistant in 2011. If there is one trait of Ham that really stood out for the former All-Star, it's the way he communicates.
https://open.spotify.com/episode/61Ar04k91qqxag5lQwOEe3?si=ed5d91133a624f9b
“He was working hard, working all the players out, worked me out,” Artest explained. “He worked out everybody. He was involved heavy and was very direct; very, very direct, which I really loved.
“… He definitely understands modern basketball. He also is capable of communicating in a way where you can receive it the right way. He’s definitely a presence, but he also has a communication about him that is, I’m not going to say soft, but you understand that he has your best interest at heart.”
Now that is something that LeBron James and the rest of the Lakers would love to hear. Communication has been a major issue for the Purple and Gold last season, and the fact that there are rumors about how Frank Vogel lost the locker room before his firing speaks volumes on their need to have a coach who knows how to talk and approach the players.
Of course there is a ton of pressure on Darvin Ham's shoulders. He is a first-time head coach, and he will be immediately tasked to turn the franchise around to help them contend for the title. Hopefully, his coaching style helps him get LeBron James and the rest of the Lakers to quickly buy in on his plans.
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