Getty Image
The Nuggets advanced to the second round of the NBA Playoffs this week thanks to a series win over the Lakers. After a close Game 5 decision, Denver head coach Michael Malone praised Los Angeles leader Darvin Ham.
The niceties came with Ham’s future in LA unclear, and many believe there to be an ulterior motive behind the comments. Was Malone being genuine, or was he gaslighting the Lakers?
The coach took to the podium on Monday night to talk about the Nuggets’ dispatching of Los Angeles in the opening round. Malone had nothing but complimentary things to say about his opponent, who took him to the wire in that final matchup.
It was a theme that persisted throughout the series. Though Denver won four of five contests, they outscored the Lakers by just 11 points in the set.
Most every game was within single digits upon entering the fourth quarter, including a pair of Denver victories in which they won by just a bucket.
In the deciding matchup, Jamal Murray was the hero, suiting up despite being questionable for Game 5. With just four seconds left, he sank the winning shot to break a 106-106 tie and end LA’s season.
After the fact, questions immediately arose surrounding Darvin Ham’s future in Los Angeles.
Will he be the head coach next season? The overwhelming consensus seems to be, “No.”
Over two years leading the team, Ham’s squads have posted a combined 90-74 regular season record. In Year 1, the team improbably made the Western Conference Finals as a No. 7 seed. This year, they again made the postseason.
Michael Malone believes Ham should be given a chance to continue building what he started in LA. He praised the coach in his postgame press conference.
Michael Malone: “I think Darvin Ham is a hell of a coach. That’s not an easy job. I think Darvin does it with class. He’s a good man, good coach, and I wish him all the best. Hopefully, he’ll be around there for a long time because he deserves to be.” pic.twitter.com/PJsDU6qfMF
— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) April 30, 2024
“I think Darvin Ham is a hell of a coach,” Malone said. “That’s not an easy job. I think Darvin does it with class. He’s a good man, good coach, and I wish him all the best. Hopefully, he’ll be around there for a long time because he deserves to be.”
Again, nothing but nice things to say about what he believed to be a formidable foe.
With that being said, Malone’s Nuggets are now 13-3 against the Lakers under Ham and winners of 11 of the last 12 meetings. Denver’s ended Los Angeles’s season two years straight with an 8-1 head-to-head mark in the NBA Playoffs.
There are some who believe he’s campaigning for Ham to remain at the helm for his own benefit!
“This man is trying to sabotage the Lakers!”
“The gaslighting is insane.”
“Dude is such a troll.”
“Why’s he gassing him up?!”
Genuine praise or manipulation? Either way, the Lakers probably won’t be heeding Malone’s advice when discussing moving forward with Darvin Ham.