Darvin Ham speaks candidly about Quin Snyder after Lakers beat Hawks

The Atlanta Hawks (30-38) started hot, racing out to an 11-2 lead before things went awry in their eventual 136-105 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers.

“It's a hell of a young ball club over there,” Ham told reporters. “Their record may not reflect it, but they're fighting for a position as well. Love Quin Snyder, he's like a big brother to me. He's going to make sure they compete, and there's a lot of you know young weapons over there in spite of being without Trey Young.”

Ham and Sndyer’s relationship dates back to 2008.

The Hawks head coach was working for the San Antonio Spurs’ G Leauge affiliate, the Austin Toros, while Ham was going into the final season of his playing career. 

Their paths crossed again in 2011-12, and on the Lakers no less. It was Ham’s first season as a coaching assistant and Snyder’s third in the NBA. They would meet again, this time in Atlanta, as members for former Head Coach Mike Budenholzer’s staff in 2013-14.

Snyder even consulted with Ham ahead of the 2022-23 season.

Ham was preparing for his first season at the helm of the Lakers and Snyder had not yet replaced Nate McMillan in Atlanta after stepping away from the Utah Jazz.

“I was excited for him when he got this opportunity,” Snyder said during his postgame presser. “I think he's been someone that's been ready to be a head coach for some time. I've worked with him, I worked with him here. We were both assistants here and … we're brothers. We're extremely close.

“I think he's done a terrific job, and they've had a lot of injuries this year as well. And he's someone that – other than tonight – that I pull for. This league, particularly [for] head coaches in this league, it can be know a little lonely at times.

“It's good to have someone that you're close to that has an opportunity to pick you up at various times.”

The Hawks and Lakers split their two meetings this season.

Hawks' Quin Snyder tips cap to Lakers' 'Hall of Fame' duo

This was the Lakers’ game early, even after the Hawks’ hot start. Snyder could only tip his cap to LA “two Hall of Fame players” – LeBron James and Anthony Davis – who combined for 47 points, 22 rebounds, and 16 assists.

“[I] thought they played really well,” Snyder said of the Lakers. “It's hard to sustain a defensive effort against the team is you know playing the way they are offensively.

“When the ball’s not going in makes it even harder. And we, obviously, didn’t make shots tonight. Felt like we were in the game. In the third quarter, and we weren't as sharp, and we weren't communicating as much and we had some breakdowns defensively and they made us pay for any mistake we made.”

The Hawks lost every quarter, shooting 42.9% overall and going 9-for-41 (22%) from three.

They are now 10-24 when they shoot below 36% from beyond the arc this season; their record is 20-14 when they shoot 36% or better.