Originally published by LakersNation.com
Christmas Day ended with a whimper for the Los Angeles Lakers as they lost to their rivals the Boston Celtics.
The Lakers got off to a slow start as they went down by 12 points before fighting back in the second quarter. Los Angeles briefly took a lead in the third, before letting go of the rope and allowing Boston to reclaim control.
Anthony Davis had a 40-point day, but the rest of the Lakers failed to get much going including LeBron James who had an uncharacteristically off game. It was clear afterwards that L.A. and Boston are in two different tiers at this point of the 2023-24 season.
Despite the loss, Darvin Ham was asked about how appreciative he is to be in the position to coach the Lakers against the Celtics on Christmas Day.
“It means a ton,” Ham said. “God is great. I thank my parents, I thank everyone that played a part in me being here – my wife, my children. Just growing up watching these games, being able to really enjoy them because I didn’t have a dog in the fight being from Michigan and a Pistons fan.
“But Magic Johnson was one of my favorite players growing up, still one of my favorite people to this day. Grew up on Magic, a home state guy. But to be a part of it is unbelievable. I’m very thankful, very humbled by it and it just puts that much more gasoline in my tank to try to accomplish the ultimate goal for this team. To be able to say I won a championship with Detroit and hopefully at some point win a championship with this franchise, it would be great. Where I came from, how I grew up and the things I’ve been through, it’s beautiful. I thank God every day for this opportunity.”
There aren’t many head coaches or players who get the honor of suiting up on Christmas, and it sounds like Ham understands the opportunity. Now, however, he and the coaching staff must figure out a way to get the purple and gold back on track ahead of the new year.
Lakers’ LeBron James and Rui Hachimura want NBA to bring back Christmas Day uniforms
Playing on Christmas Day is a special event for fans and players, and James is no stranger to playing on the holiday as he appeared in his record 18th Christmas game against the Celtics. For Rui Hachimura, though, it was his first time playing on Christmas.
Both James and Hachimura were disappointed that the NBA didn’t do unique Christmas uniforms and are hoping they bring it back.
Have you subscribed to our YouTube channel? It’s the best way to watch player interviews, exclusive coverage from events, participate in live shows, and more!
Christmas Day ended with a whimper for the Los Angeles Lakers as they lost to their rivals the Boston Celtics.
The Lakers got off to a slow start as they went down by 12 points before fighting back in the second quarter. Los Angeles briefly took a lead in the third, before letting go of the rope and allowing Boston to reclaim control.
Anthony Davis had a 40-point day, but the rest of the Lakers failed to get much going including LeBron James who had an uncharacteristically off game. It was clear afterwards that L.A. and Boston are in two different tiers at this point of the 2023-24 season.
Despite the loss, Darvin Ham was asked about how appreciative he is to be in the position to coach the Lakers against the Celtics on Christmas Day.
“It means a ton,” Ham said. “God is great. I thank my parents, I thank everyone that played a part in me being here – my wife, my children. Just growing up watching these games, being able to really enjoy them because I didn’t have a dog in the fight being from Michigan and a Pistons fan.
“But Magic Johnson was one of my favorite players growing up, still one of my favorite people to this day. Grew up on Magic, a home state guy. But to be a part of it is unbelievable. I’m very thankful, very humbled by it and it just puts that much more gasoline in my tank to try to accomplish the ultimate goal for this team. To be able to say I won a championship with Detroit and hopefully at some point win a championship with this franchise, it would be great. Where I came from, how I grew up and the things I’ve been through, it’s beautiful. I thank God every day for this opportunity.”
There aren’t many head coaches or players who get the honor of suiting up on Christmas, and it sounds like Ham understands the opportunity. Now, however, he and the coaching staff must figure out a way to get the purple and gold back on track ahead of the new year.
Lakers’ LeBron James and Rui Hachimura want NBA to bring back Christmas Day uniforms
Playing on Christmas Day is a special event for fans and players, and James is no stranger to playing on the holiday as he appeared in his record 18th Christmas game against the Celtics. For Rui Hachimura, though, it was his first time playing on Christmas.
Both James and Hachimura were disappointed that the NBA didn’t do unique Christmas uniforms and are hoping they bring it back.
Have you subscribed to our YouTube channel? It’s the best way to watch player interviews, exclusive coverage from events, participate in live shows, and more!