In the closing moments of yet another disappointing season, frustrated Lakers fans voiced their discontent with a chant directed at one man: “Fi-re Dar-vin … Fi-re Dar-vin … Fi-re Dar-vin.” With the Lakers teetering on the brink of a second consecutive playoff disappointment following a loss to the well-coached Denver Nuggets, it appears that Darvin Ham, once celebrated, now faces the possibility of becoming the scapegoat for the team’s struggles.

His team’s failure to make crucial adjustments resulted in another disappointing performance, particularly evident in their third-quarter collapse during Thursday’s loss to the Denver Nuggets. This marked the Lakers’ 11th consecutive defeat to the Nuggets and their third loss in as many games in the first-round playoff series.

With no NBA team ever having overcome a 3-0 deficit to win a playoff series, the Lakers’ chances appear bleak. Furthermore, the public criticism from players, disgruntled fans, and the team’s underwhelming postseason performance place Darvin Ham’s coaching tenure in jeopardy.

While it may seem rash to consider dismissing a coach who led the Lakers to the Western Conference finals in his previous season, recent actions by the Buss ownership group suggest otherwise. Known for prioritizing superstar players over coaching stability, the organization’s history reflects a pattern of swift coaching changes in response to disappointing outcomes.

The Lakers’ history of short coaching tenures is evident in the list of recent casualties, including coaches like Mike Brown, who lasted barely a year, and Mike D’Antoni, who served for only two years. Even coaches with notable accomplishments, such as facilitating Kobe Bryant’s final seasons, like Byron Scott and Luke Walton, were let go after relatively short stints of two and three years, respectively. In contrast, coaches like Michael Malone of the Nuggets have enjoyed longer tenures, with Malone having been with the Nuggets for nine years.

Despite the apparent unfairness of the situation, the pressure on Darvin Ham is intensifying, particularly following the Nuggets’ halftime adjustments in their recent game against the Lakers. The Nuggets’ resurgence in the third quarter, turning a 12-point Lakers lead into a 12-point deficit, was met with frustration from the Lakers’ fans, evident in the boos echoing through the arena amid the team’s turnovers.

The Lakers’ struggles in the third quarters of the series have been glaring, as they’ve been outscored by a combined 31 points in those periods. Additionally, their losses in games where they’ve held significant leads – 12 points, 20 points, and 12 points – underscore their inability to maintain momentum.

The frustration among fans reached a peak during Thursday’s game, epitomized by Snoop Dogg’s highly visible departure from the arena, followed by numerous other fans leaving early. On the court, the lack of engagement was evident, with D’Angelo Russell notably seen sitting outside the team huddle during a timeout, seemingly preoccupied with eating, amid his scoreless performance.

Such incidents reflect poorly on the team’s cohesion and focus, particularly when coupled with criticism of coaching decisions regarding rotations and strategy. In the high-pressure environment of the Lakers organization, such shortcomings could spell trouble for the coaching staff, with changes often made in response to such underperformance.

Despite personal likability within the organization and among some commentators, the Lakers’ struggles against the Nuggets have highlighted not only being outplayed but also being outcoached, with Darvin Ham’s coaching prowess being eclipsed by that of Michael Malone.

Addressing the need for competitive pride in Game 4, Ham acknowledged the challenge the Lakers face. However, if they are swept, it could potentially mark Ham’s last stand, a fact not lost on the players given the prevailing signs pointing towards this outcome.

LeBron James’s comments on the team’s energy levels and lack of in-game adjustments have further spotlighted Ham’s perceived weaknesses in coaching. James emphasized the disparity between regular-season habits and postseason demands, underlining the necessity for effective adjustments during crucial playoff moments.

The postseason scrutiny intensified after Game 2, where Anthony Davis openly criticized the team’s response to coaching following a blown 20-point lead. Ham’s subsequent disagreement with Davis’s assessment only added to the mounting pressure on the coaching staff amidst the Lakers’ playoff struggles.

Ham addressed the frustrations within the team, attributing them to the natural emotions of the game rather than organizational disarray. Despite disagreements over certain perceptions, Ham expressed confidence in his coaching staff’s abilities and their commitment to organization and efficiency in all aspects of their work.

Adding to the scrutiny surrounding Ham is an old video circulating on social media, depicting a timeout strategy session from a previous season where he appeared to struggle with writing on a grease board. While the video may lack context, its perception contributes to the growing scrutiny of Ham’s coaching abilities, reflecting the importance of public perception within the Lakers organization.

Despite calls for change, there’s an argument for the Lakers to maintain stability and avoid frequent coaching changes in response to locker room grievances or fan dissatisfaction. Players like Austin Reaves have emphasized the need for accountability and stepping up on the court to secure victories.

However, it’s evident that the Lakers are currently not on the same level as the Nuggets, and significant changes may be necessary to address their shortcomings. Whether fair or not, the spotlight is increasingly focused on Darvin Ham, and he may ultimately bear the consequences if the Lakers fail to meet expectations.