Darvin Ham Blasts Lakers Critics amid Losing Streak, NBA Rumors: 'It's Ludicrous'

As rumors about his job status keep getting louder with each loss, Los Angeles Lakers head coach Darvin Ham sent a message to everyone criticizing himself and the team.

Speaking to reporters after Friday's 127-113 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies, Ham said "it's ludicrous" the way people live and die "with every single game we play."

The Lakers have lost four straight games and 10 of their last 13 since beating the Indiana Pacers to win the NBA In-Season Tournament championship. They are two games under .500 (17-19) for the first time since Nov. 8.

It's an unusual comment for a head coach to make, but Ham doesn't think he has anything to worry about. He said before Friday's game he still feels supported by Lakers governor Jeanie Buss and general manager Rob Pelinka.

The Athletic's Sam Amick wrote earlier on Friday that one high-ranking Lakers official "pushed back against the idea Ham is on the verge of being fired."

Even if Ham's firing isn't imminent, there is certainly speculation that something isn't clicking with the Lakers head coach and players.

Per The Athletic's Shams Charania and Jovan Buha, six different sources with direct knowledge of the situation said there is "a deepening disconnect" between Ham and the locker room.

"Those sources have described that the disjointedness between the coach and team has stemmed from the extreme rotation and starting lineup adjustments recently from Ham," Charania and Buha wrote, "leading to a fluctuating rhythm for several players across the roster."

Ham does have recent history to fall back on as a reason to be optimistic. His first season began in disastrous fashion with a 2-10 record through 12 games and they didn't get over the .500 mark until the 77th game (39-38).

The Lakers rode that wave of momentum to the Western Conference Finals before being swept by the Denver Nuggets. It would be easier to trust this team if they started showing signs of life. They haven't won back-to-back games since four straight from Dec. 2 through 9.

Next up for the Lakers is a home game against the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday at 9:30 p.m. ET.