The Los Angeles Lakers have had their fair share of coaching controversies, but few have left a lasting impact quite like Darvin Ham. Despite leading the team to the Western Conference Finals in 2023, Ham’s decisions often left players and fans frustrated. Now, even former Lakers guard Patrick Beverley has joined the growing list of critics—this time, agreeing with a joke that suggested Ham would have mishandled Luka Doncic if given the chance.

A Lakers fan account, @lakersspin, posted a tweet saying: “Darvin Ham woulda saw Luka struggling the first few games and benched him for Pat Bev.” Rather than laughing it off, Beverley responded with: “😂 wild take. But so accurate 😂”

Beverley’s reaction didn’t just entertain fans—it reignited conversations about Ham’s questionable coaching style. The idea that Ham would mishandle a superstar like Doncic struck a nerve with Lakers fans, who had witnessed similar situations unfold with key players during his tenure.

This isn’t the first time a former Laker has taken a shot at Ham. D’Angelo Russell, Anthony Davis, and even Bronny James have all made subtle (or not-so-subtle) digs at the coach. Beverley’s endorsement of the Luka Doncic joke adds yet another layer to the ongoing criticism.

Lakers Fans Drag Ham’s Coaching Philosophy

Following Beverley’s reaction, Lakers fans wasted no time revisiting their frustrations with Ham.

One fan immediately brought up Westbrook’s situation, commenting: “That’s what he did to Russ lol.” Russell Westbrook’s time under Ham is indeed a prime example. In February 2023, during a game against the Oklahoma City Thunder, the ex-Lakers coach and Westbrook had a “heated verbal exchange” at halftime, highlighting their rocky relationship. Westbrook often found himself benched in crucial moments, a move that many felt stifled his impact.

The tension eventually led to Westbrook’s departure, reinforcing the belief that Ham struggled to manage elite talent effectively.

Another fan emphasized just how rare it is for a coach to receive such consistent criticism from former players: “Has a coach ever been this openly called trash by players he coached before lol?” While coaches like Isiah Thomas and Nick Nurse have faced public criticism, Ham’s situation is unique because of how many former Lakers have spoken out. Even after his firing, not a single Lakers player publicly acknowledged him—something that, according to NBA insiders, was not a coincidence.

One of the more pointed critiques targeted Ham’s perceived favoritism toward Taurean Prince: “Nah, we all know Darvin Ham was in love with Taurean Prince.” Ham consistently gave Prince significant playing time, often starting him over other viable options. Reports even suggested that he pushed for the Lakers to keep Prince despite trade discussions, further fueling accusations that he played favorites.

Another fan speculated on how Darvin would have handled a struggling young player, saying: “Knecht would be benched for the rest of the season with his recent slump.” This refers to Dalton Knecht’s recent struggles, where he averaged just 5.6 points per game on 42% shooting from the field over the last seven games. Given Ham’s track record of quickly pulling underperforming players from the rotation, many fans believe he wouldn’t have given Knecht a chance to play through his slump.

Patrick Beverley’s endorsement of the Luka Doncic joke is just the latest example of how former Lakers players—and fans—still hold resentment toward Darvin Ham. His coaching tenure, marked by questionable rotations, tension with star players, and alleged favoritism, continues to be a hot topic. While Ham has moved on to an assistant coaching role with the Milwaukee Bucks, his reputation in Los Angeles remains defined by what many see as missed opportunities and frustration.