Lakers News: Darvin Ham Pinpoints Cause Behind LA's Lackluster First Half Rebounding

LA struggled particularly in this component of the game.

Los Angeles Lakers head coach Darvin Ham was unfailingly honest in his postgame assessment of some of the big issues he saw out of his team during its 132-126 Game 1 loss against the Denver Nuggets in their Western Conference Finals matchup last night.

"My first inclination is that it's not even a size factor, it's a mobility factor... We had multiple bodies just standing around." Darvin Ham on the #Lakers first half rebound struggles. pic.twitter.com/pfbSXFsLAF

— Spectrum SportsNet (@SpectrumSN) May 17, 2023

When asked about the Nuggets' advantage in rebounding, especially during the first half, Ham was unflinchingly honest about the issues plaguing his team. Denver out-rebounded LA 23-13 in the first half. Overall Denver out-rebounded LA 47-30 in the game cumulatively (i.e. "just" 24-17 in the second half).

"Lotta long rebounds, we gave them way too many second-chance points, offensive rebounding opportunities and 50/50 balls for that matter," Ham allowed. "My first inclination is that it's not even a size factor, it's a mobility factor... We had guys, multiple bodies, just standing around. No one is seeking out a hit... Couple of times the ball just dropped to the ground and someone swooped in from their team and grabbed it. But at first glance, just coming off the game... that's what I feel like was happening."

Ham was also asked about his decision to change coverages on Nuggets All-NBA center Nikola Jokic, shifting reserve power forward Rui Hachimura onto Big Honey as the primary defender in much of the second half, while Anthony Davis was moved onto Aaron Gordon.

"Just pivoting within the game, making a slight adjustment," Ham explained. "Wanted to take A off as being the initial line of defense and hopefully Rui could turn him and make him go East-West a little bit... So it was good for us in some segments, and we were able to, after a tough first half... claw our way back into it." 

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