Former NBA All-Star Kenyon Martin discussed the Los Angeles Lakers this season in an interview on the Gilbert Arenas Show. The Lakers are trailing the Denver Nuggets by two games, and Martin blames Darvin Ham for not making use of Anthony Davis.

Martin declared, “Anthony Davis should be featured when he’s on the floor.” “LeBron ought to be highlighted, even while he’s on the court. I am going to have a talk with Darvin [Ham]. 

Here, we clearly have the upper hand. How many plays do you have in the motherf**kin’ whatever that small card is that got #3 over the motherf**ker when I’m on the ground?

LeBron James is still the focal point of the offense for the Los Angeles Lakers, and he’s done a respectable job of energizing everyone. Nevertheless, when the game is close, the Lakers may exhibit a detrimental lack of activity. 

Davis has been the Nuggets’ hot hand under the hoop throughout this series, and his dominance has been the only thing keeping them in the game. But when these games wind down, the Lakers frequently turn to James, Austin Reaves, or D’Angelo Russell to score points while Davis is tasked with handling the bulk of the defensive responsibilities.

Similar to how the Nuggets rely on Nikola Jokic, Martin and Arenas want the Lakers to give Davis the ball and give him the freedom to go about his business. Davis can be even more effective if the Lakers make it a point to feed him consistently throughout their games. 

Through the first two games, he has already averaged 32 points per game. All that’s left to do is alter the strategy in the hopes that the Nuggets won’t be able to keep up.

Darvin Ham Is Under hot seat

Darvin Ham is the one making the decisions for the Lakers, even if Anthony Davis is their x-factor. Many people think that Ham’s dubious tactics have already cost the Lakers multiple victories.

Although Ham has stated he is certain his job is safe, things could turn around if the team wins another series against the Denver Nuggets. The Lakers had no answer for Nikola Jokic and company the previous season, but going into this series, there was hope that they could come up with a strategy to slow him down.

Unfortunately for the Purple and Gold, that hasn’t happened in either of the first two games, and it’s becoming more and more likely that the Nuggets will win 4-0 to start a trend of consecutive championships. Darvin Ham is currently coaching not just to preserve the season but also to keep his job.

The second-year coach has almost completely lost the support of the Lakers faithful due to his dubious rotations and foolish remarks, and even LeBron James has voiced his displeasure with his choices. 

Unfortunately for Ham, no one will be shocked if he is replaced in the locker room this summer by a newcomer if he is unable to provide results this time. Phil Handy, Terry Stotts, and Dave Joerger are a few possible names.

For the time being, Ham’s only option is to try to reconsider his approach in an attempt to turn things around and find a way to stay up with the defending champions until the difficult choices are made in the offseason.