END OF AN ERA: The Lakers have parted ways with the entire coaching staff beyond Darvin Ham – including the well respected Phil Handy

“I find it unbelievable that he did that.” It’s been years since I met Patrick Beverley. I adore the brother. It is unacceptable. He stated on First Take that it is inexcusable.

He didn’t plan to toss the ball at the woman when he flung it into the stands, but he shouldn’t have thrown it the first time. That is not what you do.

Smith expressed his empathy for the players in light of the heckling they endure from the crowd. However, that does not free you from upholding your professional obligations and decorum toward the league, the organization, and yourself, the expert stated. That is not what you do.

“It’s an extremely bad look,” he continued. Undoubtedly, a ban is on the horizon… the penalty is on the horizon, and I believe it will be harsh.

On Friday, Adams said on X that Beverley had contacted her to apologize.

“I want to thank everyone for their kind words and support,” she wrote on social media. I feel modest.

“Patrick Beverley apologized to me over the phone.” I accept it and am grateful for it. Additionally, the Bucks apologized.

“I’ve been in the news for more than 40 years, and grace and kindness always come out on top.”

The Lakers have reportedly fired coach Darvin Ham following their defeat in the NBA playoffs

LeBron James is reportedly waiting to see who the Lakers hire before deciding his future

The Lakers went 47-35 during the regular season under Ham’s leadership, but they did win the NBA’s first-ever In-Season Tournament.

After defeating New Orleans in a play-in game, the Lakers advanced to the seventh seed in the very contested Western Conference. However, this meant they would have to play Denver, who eliminated them from the playoffs the previous year.

In their first-round series, Los Angeles held a significant lead against the reigning champion Nuggets for extended periods of time. However, Nikola Jokic and his teammates eventually advanced to the second round with a string of comeback victories.

The Lakers’ defeat was bittersweet because James and Davis, the league’s top scorers with 76 games played and 71 for James, were both essentially healthy throughout the season. This was more than either superstar has played in an NBA season since 2017–18.

In addition to having a fantastic regular season, D’Angelo Russell also established a franchise record for 3-pointers made.

Only a four-win improvement in the standings from the previous season was the result of that health and success, and fans and observers largely held Ham responsible for his poor game management, sluggish tactical adjustments, and unwillingness to alter his starting lineups and player rotations even when things weren’t working.

In their first season under Ham (2022–23), the Lakers only finished 43–39, but they made the most of more advantageous postseason matchups.

They advanced to the conference finals, when they were swept by Denver, by winning playoff series against Memphis and Golden State after defeating Minnesota in a play-in game.

Los Angeles led the defending champion Nuggets for long stretches but couldn’t hold on

Lakers owner Jeanie Buss will be hiring team’s fourth head coach since James arrived in 2018

Since winning the 2020 championship in the Florida bubble, James, Davis, and the Lakers have finished third in three of their four playoff seasons without making it past the first round.

The Lakers, who will appoint their fourth head coach since James joined in 2018, have two years remaining on Ham’s deal. After Hall of Famer Phil Jackson left the Lakers in 2011, this will be the team’s sixth coach in fourteen years.

As an athletic forward, Ham played in the NBA for eight years, earning a championship with Detroit in 2004.

After accepting his first NBA assistant coaching position with the Lakers in 2011, he spent nine seasons working as Mike Budenholzer’s assistant in Atlanta and Milwaukee, where he helped the Bucks capture a second championship ring in 2021. He then rejoined the Lakers as head coach.

The Lakers, who internally anticipate that James will return, are waiting to make any offseason decisions as James has a $51.4 million player option for the next campaign.

After that, Pelinka has to decide if he thinks Rui Hachimura and other role players can help the Lakers become a contender with greater continuity, or if he can finally make the much-needed deals to get a third superstar.