Charles Barkley defends Darvin Ham, goes on a rant about NBA analysts / News - Basketnews.com

Inside the NBA, analyst Charles Barkley stood up for Darvin Ham and Frank Vogel, saying both of them are "hell of coaches," adding that the Lakers and the Suns suck because of players.

Credit: AFP, REUTERS/Marvin Gentry-Scanpix Credit AFP, REUTERS/Marvin Gentry-Scanpix

Former NBA star and Inside the NBA analyst stood up for the Los Angeles Lakers and Phoenix Suns head coaches Darvin Ham and Frank Vogel.

Phoenix Suns / Schedule

Phoenix Suns Minnesota Timberwolves109-126 Phoenix Suns Minnesota Timberwolves116-122

Both coaches were put under a lot of pressure after the poor performances in the playoffs.

While rumors about Darvin Ham's firing were published straight after the Lakers' loss in Game 5 against the Denver Nuggets, Barkley believes it was the players' fault.

"A lot of these people on television are cowards because they want the players to like them," Barkley began. "They don't want to do their job, which is to tell the truth. And I just want to say something about coaching."

"Anybody who thinks the reason the Lakers suck is because of Darvin Ham or the reason the Suns suck is because of Frank Vogel, you don't know what you're talking about. Frank Vogel is a hell of a coach. Darvin Ham is a hell of a coach trying to get his career started.

Darvin Ham LeBron JamesCredit AP-Scanpix

But for all you punks, idiots, and jackasses on other networks who want to be me and who want all the players to like y'all, do your damn job.

The Lakers suck, and the Suns suck because of the players. It has nothing to do with the coaches. I feel better," Barkley concluded his monologue.

Ham signed a four-year deal in 2022 worth around $5 million annually.The Lakers finished eighth in the regular season with a 47-35 record but won a Play-In Tournament game against the New Orleans Pelicans and secured the seventh seed.

Overall, Ham has a 90-74 record with the Lakers.

Meanwhile, Vogel joined the Suns ahead of the 2023-24 season. The Suns finished the regular season as the 6th seed with a 49-33 record before losing the 1st Roundplayoff series against the Minnesota Timberwolves 0-4.

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