Darvin Ham Defends Lakers’ Lineup Choices, Blames LeBron’s Age and AD’s ‘Injury History’ for Struggles

In a stunning post-game press conference, Los Angeles Lakers head coach Darvin Ham took a bold and highly controversial stance in defending his team’s struggles this season. Rather than owning up to lineup missteps or adjustments, Ham pointed the finger squarely at two of the most influential players on the roster: LeBron James and Anthony Davis. His explanation? The team’s woes are largely due to LeBron’s advancing age and AD’s persistent injury history.

For a franchise that has spent decades building around two of the most dominant forces in basketball, this revelation is nothing short of explosive. Ham, who was hired with the expectation that he would bring fresh energy and innovative strategies to the team, now finds himself on the defensive, explaining decisions that have raised eyebrows among fans, analysts, and even former players alike.

LeBron’s Age: The New Elephant in the Room?

LeBron James, at 39 years old, is unquestionably in the twilight of his illustrious career. Still capable of jaw-dropping performances, James is far from the player he was in his prime. However, Ham’s comments seem to suggest that the Lakers’ current struggles stem from James’ age more than anything else.

“We’re dealing with the reality of LeBron being in his 20th season,” Ham explained. “His body isn’t what it used to be. We’ve had to adjust rotations and workloads around that reality. It’s a challenge that every team with an aging star faces, and we’re no different. We can’t expect him to carry the load for 40 minutes a night anymore. That’s just the truth of the situation.”

While it’s no secret that James is no longer the 25-year-old phenom, Ham’s comments have sparked a debate about whether the Lakers have become too reliant on LeBron’s legendary status rather than fostering a more balanced, team-oriented approach. Critics argue that Ham’s reliance on James for leadership—at the expense of fully integrating other players—has stunted the development of younger stars, particularly in a season when the Lakers are supposed to be aiming for championship contention.

Some fans have pointed out that even though LeBron is aging, he’s still capable of performing at a high level when rested and supported by the right pieces. The question now is whether Ham is underutilizing LeBron’s remaining prime years or simply making excuses for poor roster management.

Anthony Davis: The ‘Injury Prone’ Issue

Ham also didn’t mince words when discussing Anthony Davis’ long-running injury issues. “We can’t ignore AD’s injury history. It’s part of the reality we face. We’ve seen it time and time again—when AD is healthy, he’s a top-five player in this league. But the injury concerns are real, and they impact the way we build lineups.”

Davis has long been hailed as one of the most gifted big men in the game. His combination of size, athleticism, and defensive prowess is unmatched, but his injury history is equally undeniable. Whether it’s a sprained shoulder, strained Achilles, or an ankle sprain, Davis has often found himself sidelined at critical moments. While some fans and analysts have been critical of the Lakers’ inability to keep Davis healthy, Ham’s words seem to suggest that his injury-prone nature is a key factor in the team’s struggles, making it difficult to build consistent rotations or trust Davis to be a reliable anchor throughout the season.

However, this line of reasoning is likely to raise questions about the Lakers’ decision-making in regards to roster construction. Was the team fully prepared for the likelihood of Davis missing games when they constructed their current lineup? Is relying on a player with such an extensive injury history a sound strategy, or is it simply setting up the team for failure? The irony of Ham defending Davis’ injury history while simultaneously criticizing it has left many scratching their heads.

Lineup Experimentation: A Desperate Measure?

The Lakers have had no shortage of lineup experimentation this season, with Ham frequently shifting roles and combinations in search of a winning formula. While this is often a sign of a coach trying to maximize his roster’s potential, it also hints at uncertainty. With LeBron’s minutes limited and Davis’ health always in flux, Ham has resorted to rotating role players in and out of the starting lineup, hoping for the right chemistry to emerge.

This volatility has led some to argue that Ham lacks a clear identity for the team. Instead of a cohesive strategy built around the star power of James and Davis, the Lakers seem to be caught in a constant state of flux. If the issue truly lies with LeBron’s age and Davis’ injuries, then why hasn’t Ham found a better way to manage their minutes and integrate complementary pieces like D’Angelo Russell, Austin Reaves, and Rui Hachimura? The absence of a clear, sustainable plan only adds to the uncertainty surrounding the Lakers’ season.

A Deeper Issue?

Ham’s comments also raise a more uncomfortable question: Are the Lakers’ organizational problems deeper than just player health? Despite the spotlight being on LeBron and AD, the Lakers’ front office has been criticized for making questionable decisions in terms of roster construction. Bringing in players who are inconsistent, injury-prone, or too reliant on the aging stars may have been a misguided strategy, one that is now backfiring.

Fans have begun to wonder if the Lakers’ front office is fully behind Ham’s philosophy or if they, too, are playing the age and injury card as a way of avoiding the tough questions about roster construction.

While Ham’s defense of his decisions is understandable from a coach trying to protect his players, it’s unlikely to win him many fans in the long run. The reality is that the Lakers, despite having two of the most recognizable players in the league, have underperformed, and simply blaming their struggles on age and injuries might not be enough to justify the lack of success on the court.

Conclusion

Darvin Ham’s defense of his lineup choices—blaming LeBron James’ age and Anthony Davis’ injury history—has opened a can of worms that may do more harm than good. While the challenges posed by an aging LeBron and an injury-prone AD are real, pointing to them as the sole reasons for the Lakers’ struggles only skirts around the more pressing questions regarding roster balance, coaching decisions, and overall team strategy. As the Lakers attempt to right the ship, the path forward may require more than just acknowledging the obvious—Ham must find a way to get the most out of his stars, regardless of their limitations.