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Watch: Darvin Ham plays tough defense
Jordan Poole took a tough shot in the final seconds of Game 1. The Los Angeles Lakers head coach made it that much tougher.
Look at Ham pic.twitter.com/VeCyPDbw2V
— Russillo (@ryenarussillo) May 3, 2023
As Poole rose up for a 27-footer, Jarred Vanderbilt ran over to contest. As did Lakerscoach Darvin Ham, stepping onto the court from the sideline with a raised hand.
Sam Vecenie of The Athletic gave a tongue-in-cheek review of Ham's "help defense."
Great side-view contest there by Darvin Ham, seems like he got just enough of a hand up by his face to be available in help defense there. https://t.co/NzRGkjp4HH
— Sam Vecenie (@Sam_Vecenie) May 3, 2023
While it is technically illegal for a coach to set foot on the floor, that's a rule that is also routinely violated and routinely ignored in the NBA. For years, the Miami Heat's coaches made a habit of yelling at shooters taking threes in front of their bench.
This year, the NBA made a new rule -- the so-called "Theo Pinson" rule -- that prevented bench players from stepping on the court or celebrating and standing excessively. But that rule does not apply to coaches.
You rarely see any consequences for a coach stepping onto the court -- unless it's a situation where Jason Kidd sees an opportunity to get a free technical foul.
It is clear why the Lakers respond so well to Ham's defensive coaching. He not only preaches defense, he lives it.
More must-reads:
- Five things to watch for in Los Angeles Lakers-Golden State Warriors playoff series
- NBA MVP voting results in career-first for LeBron James
- The '2003-04 NBA All-Stars' quiz
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Zachary Yager, Veteran NASCAR Pit Crew Member, Dies Aged 35
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Aaron Rodgers makes big admission about supposed retirement plans
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