When taking stock of the Lakers season, Rob Pelinka naturally wants to first greet the one who is standing next to him, at a press conference: Darvin Ham. “ We obviously did not reach our ultimate goal, the 18th (title), but first we must congratulate Darvin and his team for establishing a pillar of our organization: the way to fight until the end “Begins by formulating the GM.
The leader says to himself, incredibly grateful towards his coach, and not only on the sporting aspect and the accomplishment of having led this team to the conference final despite a catastrophic start to the season.
Human and technical qualities
Rob Pelinka wants to highlight here the ” personality from the technician. ” We knew during the interviews (recruitment), what he was as a man, as a husband, as a father and as a coach. We have been able to see it progress and prosper. I think there are a lot of different elements that make a great trainer », judge the ruler.
And according to the latter, this therefore goes beyond the technical or tactical framework: “ Leading with character and rallying a dressing room to its cause is an intangible and special skill that few coaches have in my opinion. Darvin demonstrated that this year. I think our players will recognize that and probably talk about it today. They did it all season long. »
After his team’s dry elimination against the Nuggets, Darvin Ham reported having thanked his players. “ For supporting me, for the communication, for giving a chance to function by joining the project, and then for making everyone focus on improving the situation”had just listed the rookie coach.
A relationship of trust with Rob Pelinka
“Improvement” is a weak word. Given the start of the season for the Californian team, few people would have bet on such a course in the playoffs. Even assuming that the Lakers, still 12th in the West at the end of February, qualify there… But the reorganization of the workforce carried out at the “trade deadline” has changed the dynamics of the team. To the point of finishing four short games from a new NBA final.
” But I also know that Darvin is not satisfied. Like me, he wants to improve every year as a coach. I want to try to be a better GM next year than I was this year continues Rob Pelinka, then interrupted by his neighbor: You’ve been damn good this year, Rob. I love you and thank you for your words. »
This little scene, which provokes the accomplice laughter of the leader of the Lakers, says a lot about the relationship between the two men, brought to renew the Lakers ship next year.
