Shaquille O’Neal thinks Darvin Ham doesn’t have the background to rein in LeBron James. He claims that one’s resume is everything in the locker room for the team.

“In the locker room resume is important. You mean to tell me LeBron’s going to listen to Darvin Ham in the thick of things… you think AD is going to listen to Darvin Ham?”

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— The Big Podcast (@bigpodwithshaq) January 11, 2024

Shaquille O’Neal Doesn’t Believe In Darvin Ham

O’Neal talks about the recent report that there’s a growing disconnect between the Lakers and Ham on his show, The Big Podcast. He spoke of his lack of belief in Joel Embiid on the same podcast.

He claims that a coach or player’s resume is one of the most important things in the locker room. After all, if you’re a 19-time All-Star, why would you listen to a nobody?

O’Neal’s claim has some backing to it. Back in October, James complained about the coaching staff and the lack of rotations for the star player. Could this issue be resurfacing? Add that to the fact that the 39-year-old can call plays even before they happen, and the Hall of Famer’s claim seems more plausible.

“What I know for a fact: in the locker room, resume is important. You mean to tell me LeBron’s going to listen to Darvin Ham in the thick of things? I know the answer to that. I’ll let you figure it out.”

Shaquille O’Neal

The former Los Angeles Lakers big man claims even Anthony Davis won’t listen to him. Furthermore, the fact that Ham has no playoff and championship experience only worsens this.

The 51-year-old then imagines a situation where he was being coached by someone similar with no resume and even he wouldn’t listen.

“You think AD is going to listen to Darvin Ham? That’s no disrespect to Darvin Ham, but no championship experience, no playoff experience. If I’m a guy that been there to the title run a lot, why would I listen to a guy that hasn’t been there?”

Shaquille O’Neal

How Can The Lakers Fix It?

In O’Neal’s opinion, the veterans should pick up the slack. If the players won’t listen to Ham anyway, they’ll listen to those with significant playoff experience.

“But as the one-two punch on the team, if that is true, you just have to say, ‘Okay, we’re not gonna listen to him. You’re going to listen to us and this is what we got to do.’”

Shaquille O’Neal

A hand-in-hand coaching approach could work out for the Lakers. With the likes of James and Davis leading the helm, it just might.

Luckily for Ham, the Lakers have confirmed that they won’t be firing him despite the rocky performances and questionable rotations.

Do you think O’Neal’s claim is valid?