In a recent episode of "Pardon the Interruption," ESPN host Michael Wilbon expressed his frustrations over the Los Angeles Lakers' decision to fire assistant coach Darvin Ham. Wilbon suggested that LeBron James may have played a role in the dismissal, as speculation continues to surround his influence on coaching changes throughout his career.

Wilbon, who admitted to a personal relationship with Ham, passionately defended his character and coaching abilities. He highlighted Ham's contributions to the team, noting how he had transformed the Lakers from a non-playoff team to a conference finals contender just last season.

The ESPN host called out James and Anthony Davis for allegedly blaming Ham for the team's underperformance in this year's playoffs, arguing that accountability should lie with the star players. Wilbon challenged James, referring to him as the "GOAT" (Greatest of All Time), to take responsibility for the team's shortcomings.

While Wilbon acknowledged that James has shown some accountability, he contended that it had not been sufficient. He insisted that if James truly wants to be considered the greatest player of all time, he needs to hold himself accountable without subtly shifting blame onto others.

Wilbon concluded by reminding James and the Lakers that their early exit from the playoffs this year against the Denver Nuggets was a collective failure. While recognizing the individual greatness of James and Davis, he emphasized that they were not good enough against the Nuggets and should shoulder responsibility for their performance.

The Lakers had made it to the conference finals last season but fell short against Denver, who also eliminated them in 2023. The team's recent decision to part ways with Ham has sparked debates about James' involvement in coaching changes and the level of accountability he assumes.

As the Lakers embark on an offseason filled with uncertainties and decisions, the criticism over their coaching personnel and James' role in those decisions continues to garner attention. The team's next steps remain to be seen as they aim to regroup and make necessary adjustments before the start of the upcoming NBA season.