Blue Man Hoop
Fansided

Hypocritical Ham confuses fans after Game 5 loss to Golden State Warriors

By Peter O'Keefe

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - MAY 02: Head coach Darvin Ham of the Los Angeles Lakers coaches during the first half against the Golden State Warriors in game one of the Western Conference Semifinal Playoffs at Chase Center on May 02, 2023 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - MAY 02: Head coach Darvin Ham of the Los Angeles Lakers coaches during the first half against the Golden State Warriors in game one of the Western Conference Semifinal Playoffs at Chase Center on May 02, 2023 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

The Golden State Warriors extended their second-round series at least one further game on Wednesday night, defeating the Los Angeles Lakers 121-106 to send the series back to the City of Angels.

Despite the defending champions’ comfortable victory in Game 5, much of the conversation again surrounded the series-defining themes of fouling, free-throws, and the officiating which has led to frustration for both teams at different points.

A hypocritical Darvin Ham has left fans confused following pre and post-game comments on Wednesday night’s Game 5 against the Golden State Warriors.

The Lakers had over double the amount of free-throws across the first four games, with the 103-51 attempt differential eventually leaving Steve Kerr frustrated after his team suffered a 104-101 loss in Game 4 to go down 3-1.

Golden State’s head coach even went as far as to suggest that Los Angeles play with a lot of ‘gamesmanship’, and that they were rewarded for flops after numerous illegal screens were called on Monday night.

Before heading out for Game 5 at Chase Center, Lakers coach Darvin Ham responded to Kerr by stating, “I just control what I can control”, and that “I don’t go down the rabbit hole of blaming officials.”

The fouling and free-throw aspect was much less of a difference-maker in Game 5, with the Warriors committing one extra foul and both teams shooting 15 free-throws apiece. There’s no coincidence that Golden State found things much easier as a result, building an 11-point lead late in the first-half that was never truly threatened thereafter.

Ham’s perspective certainly changed in the aftermath, believing the Lakers played the way they always play before adding, “I don’t know what’s a foul anymore.” That sure seems like going down the rabbit hole of blaming officials…

Next. Golden State Warriors take Game 5, all eyes turn to possible series-altering injury. dark

It’s clear that both coaches are trying to play a game of cat-and-mouse, knowing full well that this series is well and truly being settled by the disparity at the charity stripe. The Lakers have shot an average of 17 more free-throws in each of their three wins, while the Warriors have taken one less attempt total across both of their victories.

Home/Warriors News